Here are some of the best food stories we came across this week:
- New Locavore Index Rates Top States – Using a state’s number of farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) offerings per number of citizens, Vermont was deemed the best state for local eating. Iowa, Montana, Maine and Hawaii followed to complete the top five; Florida came in last, even though it grows much of the nation’s citrus, strawberries and tomatoes.
- Study Predicts 42% of Nation Will be Obese by 2030 – 34% of Americans are currently obese. According to a new study published by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, that number is predicted to rise to 42% by 2030; at that time the severely obese are expected to include 11% of the population. Obesity is rising in higher income men; severe obesity is increasing in both genders.
- Food Stamp Recipients Get Greater Access to Farmers Markets – The federal government allocated $4 million to provide wireless point of sale capability for the food stamp program’s debit cards. Currently, less than 25% of the nation’s approximately 7,100 farmers markets provide access; with the additional funding, 4,000 more could use the Electronic Benefit Transfer system.
- Probiotics May Help Alleviate Antibiotic Side Effect – Probiotics may be good for more than just everyday digestion: A recent analysis of 82 different studies found that patients treated with high doses of antibiotics were 42% less likely to experience antibiotic-associated diarrhea when they also consumed probiotics.
- California Kids Healthier After Schools Ban Junk Food – A recent report found that since California restricted sales of junk food in school cafeterias five years ago, its high school students consistently consume less fat and sugar, and on average 158 fewer calories per day than their counterparts in other states.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for links like these all week long.
Photo courtesy of Natalie Maynor.
