As the demand for organic foods increases, suppliers are importing crops from overseas, calling into question some of the environmental benefits.
Stonyfield Farm is working on a deal to import organic milk powder from New Zealand; Clif Bar imports organic almonds from Spain. Barbara Robinson, head of the Agriculture Department's National Organic Program says the United States is importing far more organic food than it exports. The U.S. also imports more conventional food than it exports. According to Robinson, "That is how you stimulate growth, [by] imports generally. Your own industry says we're tired of importing this; why should I pay for imports when I could start producing myself?"
What is good for business may be bad for sustainability. "If organic is something created in the image of sustainable agriculture, we certainly haven't accomplished that yet," said Urvashi Rangan, a scientist for Consumers Union. However, Stonyfield and Organic Valley are working to increase the number of organic farms in the U.S., paying farmers to help them switch or boost production.
FULL STORY: Big appetite: Demand for organic food outstrips supply in U.S.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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