My Plastic-free Life - Topic: Food Network or Plastic Network? http://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/citizen-action/food-network-or-plastic-network/ Simple:Press Version 5.2.6 Beth Terry on Food Network or Plastic Network? http://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/citizen-action/food-network-or-plastic-network/#p927 Citizen Action http://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/citizen-action/food-network-or-plastic-network/#p927 Thanks for sending that letter, Eve! You never know what impact you might have. One of the stories in my book is of a woman who got one of the Disney TV shows to stop showing people drinking bottled water, so it can be done! (I wish Nancy Botwin on Weeds didn't always have an iced coffee in a plastic cup with a plastic straw sticking out of her mouth.)

]]> Wed, 01 Aug 2012 16:23:17 -0700 Eve Stavros on Food Network or Plastic Network? http://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/citizen-action/food-network-or-plastic-network/#p922 Citizen Action http://myplasticfreelife.com/forum/citizen-action/food-network-or-plastic-network/#p922 So, I'm watching my favorite cooking show and the chef whips out yet another plastic bag to pipe devilled egg filling and I thought, "AHA!!! Part of the problem is the thoughtless promotion of single-use plastic in the media that is so subliminally I didn't even see it until today"!!!  And then another show featured pouring warm marinade into a bag full of meat to sit for a couple of hours. And then another, and another - dozens of bags being used all over the channel.  We, as cooks & consumers, are being shown that it's not only OK to use plastic for food prep & storage, but hey, look, the experts prefer it!  So, I decided to address the problem by sending the following comment via email on their website.  And yeah, I know I'm asking them to not feature their sponsor's products in such a big way, but maybe if more viewers would join in voicing their concerns, something could change.  After all, if these experts could show the millions of viewers alternative ways to do things, it might catch on. 

"I am a serious foodie & Food Network fan who has also become more health conscious and aware of the impact of plastics on our health and the environment.  And the number of people jumping on the anti-plastic bandwagon, especially when it comes in contact with our food, is growing, to judge by the discussions on several blogs I follow. 

My comment is this: many of my favorite shows (Good Eats, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Giada at Home, Ten Dollar Dinners, 30-minute meals) show a heavy use of plastic bags & tubs for marinating, storing, prepping food.  Many people like myself don't buy those bags or containers any more due to health and waste concerns.  I would like to see a more responsible approach taken to show us not only less wasteful ways to prep & store food, but also more healthy.  After all, it's all about the food, not keeping Glad and SC Johnson in business!  And yes, I realize convenience is a large part of this, but it's more a part of the problem, rather than the solution. 

Thank you for taking the time to hear my concern. I look forward to a response from you."

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