Carolina Living: Southern Style
Food fights and more abound in this week’s edition of the Charlotte Observer food section. The cover story for the Observer’s food section features a gorgeous tart loaded with fresh fruits and mixed berries, along with several other Summer berry recipes sure to please any fruit lover.
In regards to each Wednesday’s newspaper, my focus tends to go to the weekly column written by C.O. Food Editor, Kathleen Purvis. This week, Purvis tackles the on-going battle between the Business & Media Industry (BMI) and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). In a press release written by Amy Menefee of BMI, the organization recently reached out to food writers asking them to come to the defense of the food industry. The press release titled “Networks Serve as Deputy for Food Police” tried to sway writers with the argument:
“By airing numerous stories on the anti-food-industry antics of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the media lends credence to the idea that restaurants and the government are responsible for what you eat.”
It seems that what the fight, complete with a court battle, boils down to is good versus evil. Perhaps evil is a strong word and it would be more appropriate to say “the hard truth” vs. “the sugar coated truth?” Either way, we as consumers must decide what is more important to us - being presented with the facts, the ability to make informed choices and knowing that when we send our children to school the focus will be on their school work and not on consuming as much junk food as possible with the amount of lunch money they have been given.
So you aren’t a Carolinian and you’re wondering why my Wednesday focus is on the editor’s column? Purvis adds a voice to her writing that I admire and strive for. She gives praise when she feels it is deserved, but never gushes unnecessarily. She raises valid points, and shares her thoughts with her loyal readers, but never preaches. Most of all, Purvis seems as if she would be very down to earth, someone I would love to sit down and discuss food with.
