5@5: Frontline workers of the U.S. food supply speak out | Whole Foods CEO criticized for minimizing importance of health care

Voices from the front lines of America's food supply

In this compilation of illuminating interviews, The New York Times delves into the stories of 11 frontline workers—from an organic farmer to a supermarket employee to a meatpacking plant worker. From these stories it is evident that many corporations are still profiting massively off of their essential employees, all the while failing to adequately pay and protect them. 

Whole Foods CEO to Americans: 'You don't need health care, just eat better'

Whole Foods CEO John Mackey is drawing criticism for stating that Americans would be better off changing their diets than having access to a better health care system in a 2020 interview. While consumers recognize that their lifestyles and eating habits do have an outsize effect on health, there are a plethora of other factors (genetics, adverse life events, chemical exposure, etc.) that lead to disease and the need for robust and affordable health care. NY Mag reports.

A new study on regenerative grazing complicates climate optimism

The latest peer-reviewed study on regenerative agriculture's environmental impact has found that one farm's regenerative practices helped sequester 2.29 milligrams of carbon per hectare annually. But scientists say that focusing on carbon alone makes regenerative agriculture seem like more of a silver bullet to today's farming challenges than it really is. Regenerative models are most appropriate in areas where they can assist in creating food sovereignty and security without detracting from the burden of feeding our growing population. Civil Eats has the details.

Tyson cannot blame executive order for employee's death, federal judge rules

Over 1,000 Tyson workers tested positive for COVID-19 in the spring of 2020, and five died. Then, to combat the lawsuits alleging the company's actions had a direct effect on these deaths, Tyson argued that a federal order signed by President Trump to keep meatpacking plants open was to blame. A federal judge has officially rebuffed this take on account of the timing not adding up. Read more at Eater.

Thailand clears use of herbal medicine for COVID-19 treatment

Andrographis Paniculata, otherwise known as green chiretta, has been approved as an alternative treatment for COVID-19 in Thailand to reduce the severity of the country's outbreak. Studies show the herb can reduce the severity of inflammation, thereby curbing the various negative effects of the virus. Get the lowdown at Bloomberg.