Is Organic Overrated?

Chef Ann Cooper is leading the movement for healthier school lunches, launching a Web site devoted to the cause and lobbying on Capitol Hill.

Farm-to-school and other local food programs are sprouting up across the U.S., as Illinois looks to local farms to boost the economy and fill vacant lots in Chicago.

Late blight, which caused the Irish potato famine, has wreaked havoc on U.S. tomatoes since June. Can late blight be contained before farmers lose even more crops?  

A review by London researchers found that organic food is no healthier than conventionally grown food, fueling more speculation about the true value of organic farming.

As the recession continues and urban gardening gains popularity among the masses, one study finds that gardening may be the key to a long life.

The Obama administration plans to ban certain antibiotics in farm animals in order to reduce dangerous bacteria in humans. But some experts say the ban could be detrimental to the food supply.

Food safety concerns have prompted the U.S. and China to ban imports of each other’s chicken, calling attention to the case for locally grown food.

Residential farming and gardening services are taking hold in some American cities, furthering the homegrown food craze and helping people save money in the process.

Iconic Canadian brands have held strong during the recession, seeing expansion into America and partnership with U.S. companies. Part of the key to their success is making consumers relate to their brands.

In a bid to lower costs, Canadian brewer Molson is cutting back its monthly allocation of free beers for the company’s retirees.

U.K. officials are considering getting rid of certain food labels that confuse consumers and can lead to excessive waste.

Grocery stores, from nationwide chains to local convenience stores, are reporting resilient sales figures. Whatever the economic conditions, people need to eat.

Thanks to deft management practices and affordable prices, some restaurant chains are weathering the recession well.

The proposed beverage tax would help provide an estimated 50 million Americans with health insurance. But manufacturers, small businesses and consumers aren’t happy about a possible increase in price.

By the end of 2010, restaurant chains in Massachusetts with 20 or more locations in the state will have to post calorie counts for their dishes.

The level of radioactive carbon in whiskeys made after 1950 is higher due to nuclear bomb testing, making it easy to identify new whiskey posing as century-old vintage.

Among today’s positive news headlines: Bed, Bath & Beyond and Ruby Tuesday shares boosted by better-than-expected numbers, financial master’s grads stand to benefit from current economic conditions and a financial company CEO points out the good news inherent in negative headlines.

The humble dessert has long been thought to be a Chinese contribution, but researchers contend that Japan deserves credit.