Some of the nation’s leaders on food issues will meet at Princeton University this month to explore how eating choices affect not only people’s health, but also the world’s climate, animal welfare and the survival of the family farm.
In a collaboration with Peter Singer, the Ira W. Decamp Professor of Bioethics in the University Center for Human Values, the Princeton Environmental Institute will hold a conference titled, "Food, Ethics and the Environment," Nov. 16 and 17.
The conference will bring together industry experts, scientists, local farmers, students and representatives of the university dining services to build on existing movements on and off campus to examine food choices.
Advance registration for the free conference is encouraged through the university’s Web site.
"By bringing together leaders in the field, student activists and the individuals on campus with responsibility for campus dining systems, we hope to raise the level of awareness about the many issues at stake in the choices we make about the food we purchase and eat," said Katharine Hackett, associate director of the Princeton Environmental Institute. "We also want to encourage a dialogue about what choices Princeton University makes for campuswide food and health. By heightening overall awareness, our goal is that the conference will have a lasting impact on food systems on and off campus."
Along with Professor Singer, a number of authors will give presentations and participate in panel discussions, including Michael Pollan, a New York Times Magazine writer and author of "The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals."
Professor Singer, co-author of "The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter," said, "The level of public awareness of food as an issue of ethical and environmental importance has risen dramatically within the past few years."
The conference will open at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 16 in Richardson Auditorium and will continue Nov. 17 with a full day of sessions, featuring Marion Nestle, a former senior nutrition policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mr. Pollan and Bob Langert, vice president for corporate social responsibility at the McDonald’s Corp.

