Change is on the menu

Re “I’ll have the free-range Jell-O,” Opinion, Feb. 10

Charlotte Allen and others eating at the Longworth House Office Building’s cafeteria should consider themselves lucky that they can consume healthy food, an opportunity denied to millions of less fortunate Americans. Also, Allen and others should learn how to deposit containers in the appropriate receptacles -- it’s not rocket science, after all. And everybody should use less paper; everybody should recycle; everybody should bring re-usable shopping bags with them to the grocery store.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) should be commended. Memo to Allen: Jesus isn’t going to come here and miraculously dispose of your garbage, save the rain forests or save us from the diseases of obesity -- we have to do those things ourselves. Changing the House cafeteria is just the start.

Crista Worthy

Los Angeles

I was bothered by Allen’s cynicism about the House cafeteria’s more environmentally friendly food service. It is easy to trivialize efforts to reduce our world-renowned environmental impact, and I get really tired of it. These legislators are the leaders of our country, and they can take these examples back to the heartland and make significant changes, essentially multiplying the changes made by Pelosi.

Food is the primary way that we humans relate to the Earth -- both in the way we manage the land and the fact that the Earth’s nutrients become our flesh. Millions of workers and farmers around the world depend on how we in the U.S. choose our food and beverages, and future generations will depend on our protecting our agricultural environment. Such efforts as Pelosi’s promote change driven by consumer demand. Would Allen prefer more government regulation to bring about needed change?

Don Lotter

Los Angeles