GROCERY

Ultraprocessed Food and Big Ag

The Problem with Ultraprocessed Foods: What Teachers Should Know

Ultraprocessed foods are everywhere—those brightly colored snacks, sugary cereals, and quick meals that make life a little easier when we’re busy. But while these foods are convenient, they can cause big problems for our health. Recent studies, articles, and even a podcast from The New York Times show why ultraprocessed foods are harmful, especially for kids, and what we can do to help.

What Are Ultraprocessed Foods?

Ultraprocessed foods are not just regular food. They are made in factories with lots of added chemicals, preservatives, and artificial ingredients you wouldn’t find in your kitchen. Think of potato chips, packaged cookies, or boxed mac and cheese. These foods are designed to taste good and last a long time, but they don’t have the nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy.

Shockingly, 80% of grocery store products in the United States are ultraprocessed. That means most of what we see on shelves—from breakfast cereals to frozen dinners—is highly processed and often unhealthy. With so many of these foods available, it’s easy for families to fill their carts with them without realizing their impact on health.

Why Are Ultraprocessed Foods Bad?

Eating too many ultraprocessed foods can lead to serious health problems. Research shows that these foods make it harder for kids and adults to know when they’re full, leading to overeating. This can cause weight gain and problems like diabetes, heart disease, and even depression. These foods also don’t give children the vitamins and minerals they need to grow strong and stay focused in class.

One study shared by The New York Times also mentioned how these foods affect mental health, possibly making kids feel sad or anxious. And while some labels say “low sugar” or “low fat,” those claims often hide the fact that the food is still heavily processed and unhealthy.

The Power of Fresh Produce and Cooking

In contrast, eating fresh produce and cooking meals at home adds vital nutrients, moisture, and variety to your diet. Blanched or raw vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals that help our bodies grow and stay strong. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables three times a day—at breakfast, lunch, and dinner—not only nourishes the body but also hydrates it, thanks to the natural moisture in these foods. Cooking with fresh ingredients lets us control what goes into our meals, avoiding unnecessary additives while boosting nutrition and flavor.

Ultraprocessed Foods and Dehydration

Ultraprocessed foods not only lack essential nutrients but also contribute to dehydration. Unlike fresh fruits and vegetables, which are naturally rich in water and help hydrate the body, ultraprocessed foods are often dry and full of salts that can deplete hydration levels. Combined with the fact that most people don’t drink the recommended 2-3 liters of water and electrolytes daily, this creates a silent epidemic. Dehydration impacts energy levels, focus, and even physical health, making it another hidden danger of a diet reliant on ultraprocessed foods.

Why Are Ultraprocessed Foods So Popular?

Part of the problem is that ultraprocessed foods are cheap and easy to grab on the go. For busy families, they’re an easy choice. And big food companies spend lots of money on advertising to make these products seem fun and healthy—think cartoon characters on cereal boxes or catchy jingles for fast food.

Schools also play a role. Many school lunches rely on processed foods because they’re affordable and quick to prepare. This makes it even more important for teachers to know how these foods impact their students’ health and learning.

What Can We Do About It?

It’s not easy to cut ultraprocessed foods out of our lives completely, but small changes can make a big difference. Families and teachers can encourage kids to eat more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Simple snacks like apple slices or homemade granola can replace chips or candy.

Schools can also get involved by teaching kids about nutrition and offering healthier options in cafeterias. Community programs like gardens or farmers' markets can help families access fresh food. Policies that support better food education and affordable healthy options are another important step.

A Brighter Future for Healthy Eating

While ultraprocessed foods are hard to avoid, understanding why they’re harmful is the first step. By working together—teachers, families, and communities—we can help kids grow up eating foods that fuel their bodies and minds. Healthier choices today mean stronger, happier kids tomorrow.

PARTNER

Central Coast Creamery

Central Coast Creamery beginnings are quite Ewenique. Reggie has worked in the dairy industry for 25 years. His career started in 1991 when he worked in a quality laboratory for a cheese company. From there, the founder of Central Coast Creamery gained experience in all aspects of the dairy industry, from whey refining to bacteria culture sales.

Reggie met his wife Kellie while attending high school in Modesto, California. The two were later married and raised three daughters there. In 2012, after dreaming of starting their own business for many years, the family moved to Paso Robles to build their creamery. Kellie, a Cal Poly graduate, loved the area as a student and hoped to return someday and share the experience of living on the Central Coast with her family. The timing for their move was perfect: that same year their oldest daughter graduated from college, their middle daughter graduated from high school and their youngest daughter was still in elementary school.

In deciding on a location for Central Coast Creamery, they chose Paso Robles due of its proximity to the burgeoning wine region and the developing craft beer, artisan distilleries, and fine foods industries that continue to define the area as a destination for fine food lovers!

Made in Paso Robles, CA

Founded by Reggie Jones in 2012

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NEW PRODUCTS

Newly Launched Farm2Me

• Couplet Coffee – Coffee Bean Roaster, Los Angeles, CA, United States (Link)

• Tiny Fish Co – Tinned Fish, Local Ingredients, Portland, OR, United States (Link)

• Central Coast Creamery – Handmade Cheese, Local Dairy, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States (Link)

• Three Sisters Charcuterie – Sustainable Pork Spanish Dry-Cured Chorizo, Richmond, CA, United States (Link)

GROCERS

1,000+ Tiny Grocers to find Emerging Products

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Get lost in the intricate stories of shop owners. Discover their journeys, the products they love, and the reasons behind what they do.

Take advantage of the map when you’re visiting a new neighborhood, when you’re traveling around the country / world, or just looking for something special in your neighborhood.

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Hear.com

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NON-GMO

Non GMO Project

Non-GMO products do not allow GMO genetically modified organism - a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology. GMO creates combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.  Make sure  you see the  Non-GMO label!

Genetic modification affects many of the products we consume on a daily basis. As the number of GMOs available for commercial use grows every year, the Non-GMO Project works diligently to provide the most accurate, up-to-date standards for non-GMO verification.

In order for a product to be Non-GMO Project Verified, its inputs must be evaluated for compliance with our standard, which categorizes inputs into four risk levels.

NON-ALCOHOLIC

600+ Non-Alcoholic Shops for Gifting

Farm2Me Map of Non-Alc Grocers is not just a map – it’s a vibrant, living community celebrating the hardworking shops and shopkeepers you pass by every day.

Get lost in the intricate stories of shop owners. Discover their journeys, the products they love, and the reasons behind what they do.

Take advantage of the map when you’re visiting a new neighborhood, when you’re traveling around the country / world, or just looking for something special in your neighborhood.

We’ve spent 14 years building this, so enjoy!

NEWS

Seaweed Gets $2.5M

Triodos’ investment into the Faroese seaweed farming industry - the group’s first investment into the sustainable aquaculture industry - raises the total capital raised by Ocean Rainforest to € 2.5 million. Other notable shareholders include Katapult Ocean, Twynam, and WWF.

Founded in 2007, Ocean Rainforest was ahead of the curve, seemingly anticipating the massive boom in global seaweed production that was to come in the following years. Driven by the idea that growing seaweed in the ocean would take up CO₂ and mitigate climate change, cultivation began in 2013 after years of research and trials. Today the company employs 25 people and expects to produce 400 tonnes of seaweed biomass by the end of 2024, making it the largest cultivated seaweed producer in Europe.

“Ocean Rainforest addresses three impact pillars: from an environmental perspective, cultivating seaweed at scale is associated with significant enhancement of marine biodiversity and water quality. Seaweed-based fertilisers and animal feed also contribute to the sustainable agriculture transition. From a consumer perspective, consumption of seaweed-based products improves the digestive system and brings anti-inflammatory and other benefits,” said Adam Kybird, fund manager at Triodos, in a press release.

“Finally, from a socio-economic perspective, the company creates positive impact for coastal communities, creating jobs and positioning the Faroe Islands at the forefront of sustainable seaweed cultivation,” he added.

Ocean Rainforest has also begun to expand its reach, cultivating giant kelp in Santa Barbara, California, as part of a research and development project. The company recently applied for permission to transition this to commercial cultivation.

“We see the investment by Triodos Food Transition Europe Fund as a confirmation of our business strategy and our purpose to improve people’s wellbeing and make a unique contribution to our blue planet. With the funding provided by Triodos we will be able to further scale our production and capitalise on the huge potential of this global growth market while contributing even more to our sustainability goals,” said Olavur Gregersen, Ocean Rainforest co-founder and chief executive.

LOCAL FARMS

Farmers Markets to find Cheese

Farm2Me Guide of Farmers Markets is not just a map – you can finally search by day, location, and see what’s open — it’s a vibrant, living community celebrating the hardworking farms and makers all over the country, every day.

Get lost in the intricate stories of the farms. Discover their journeys, the products they love, and the reasons behind what they do.

Take advantage of the map when you’re visiting a new neighborhood, when you’re traveling around the country / world, or just looking for something special in your neighborhood.

We’ve spent 14 years building this, so enjoy!

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COFFEE ROASTERS

Coffee Roasters Near Me

Farm2Me Map of Independent Grocers is not just a map – it’s a vibrant, living community celebrating the hardworking shops and shopkeepers you pass by every day.

Get lost in the intricate stories of shop owners. Discover their journeys, the products they love, and the reasons behind what they do.

Take advantage of the map when you’re visiting a new neighborhood, when you’re traveling around the country / world, or just looking for something special in your neighborhood.

We’ve spent 14 years building this, so enjoy!

Pro Tip #1

Visit a local Grocer or Coffee Shop, or explore a local Farmers Market. Shop direct from your favorite emerging brands!

CHOCOLATE

Fine & Raw Chocolate

Fine & Raw Chocolate was established in 2007 in a notorious Williamsburg, Brooklyn artist loft by Daniel Sklaar. Daniel launched into making small Fine & Raw Chocolate batches and sharing them with friends, Fine & Raw Chocolate wholesale then started delivering them on his bicycle to local purveyors of fine food. It was apparent that the chocolate flavor was so good it was borderline addictive. Fine & Raw Chocolate wholesale grew based on the premise of producing organic, unparalleled quality chocolate and a shear love of the chocolate making process.

The “raw” in Fine & Raw is something of a misnomer. Sklaar and Fine & Raw Chocolate company do roast some of their organic cacao beans under lower temperatures and for longer durations than common in standard high-heat processing. Says Sklaar, “Raw chocolate is an amazing source of antioxidants. We’re basically looking to maintain those while playing with the unique flavor profiles of raw chocolate.” Fine & Raw offers chocolates using both “raw” and combinations of “raw” and conventionally roasted beans.

Fine & Raw Chocolate wholesale manufactures the finest chocolate in the world. Fine & Raw Chocolate wholesale specialize in bean-to-bar, organic chocolate bars and truffles, spreads and well, anything our imaginations can think of it. Fine & Raw Chocolate start by sourcing the worlds finest cacao beans and specialize in clean ingredients lists. Their products are always organic, plant-based and next level.

Fine & Raw Chocolate's first point of sustainability is a radically-transparent cacao supply chain which is focused on quality and direct relationships with cacao farmer! Fine & Raw's cacao is sourced from the highest quality and most ethical suppliers in Ghana and Ecuador. "We ensure that our farmers are paid above fair trade wages, because we believe farmers should have the economic freedom and empowerment to farm organically and develop sustainable land management practices. It is currently estimated that less than 0.5% of cacao beans are organic. By cultivating long-lasting and ethical relationships with suppliers and farmers, we hope to continue providing economic support for the organic cacao industry."

Made in Brooklyn, NY

Founded by Daniel Sklaar in 2007

PARTNER

Time-Line Mitochondria

As we age, our muscles naturally lose mass, strength, and functionality, which can lead to fatigue and weakness beginning as early as our 30s. Recent studies indicate that our mitochondria—the cellular powerhouses that generate 90% of our energy—play a crucial role in this decline, contributing to reduced muscle function as we age. A new way to support and improve muscle health as we age, Mitopure® by Timeline is clinically shown to meaningfully boost our mitochondrial health to improve muscle strength and endurance, without any change in exercise required.

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