The Federal Government should be the last resort not the first. Ask if a potential program is truly a federal responsibility or whether it can better be handled privately by voluntary organizations or by local or state governments.
Sure there are dishonest men in local government. But there are dishonest men in national government too.
Government is taking 40 percent of the GDP. And that's at the state local and federal level. President Obama has taken government spending at the federal level from 20 percent to 25 percent. Look at some point you cease being a free economy and you become a government economy. And we've got to stop that.
Well of course I think people can be forgiven. But our justice system is not set up to dispense forgiveness. You can go to the local priest for that.
Understanding where your food comes from trying to bolster local farmers and local economies and having a better connection to the food around you and the people around you only good can come of that. I love to be involved with things like that.
As a chef I had started working with groups like Share Our Strength and various local food banks in New York raising money for hunger-related issues. And not only me but the entire restaurant industry has been very focused on this issue.
Local and regional food systems are about opportunity.
There are times like after a long day of work when the thought of an easy drive-through is enticing. But then I remember how crappy I felt when I ate fast food in the past and it inspires me to head to the grocery store or my local farmer's market and whip up an easy but healthier option.
Never be a food snob. Learn from everyone you meet - the fish guy at your market the lady at the local diner farmers cheese makers. Ask questions try everything and eat up!
My goal is to make Italian food clean and accessible and beautiful and tasty with simple ingredients that people can find at a local grocery store because people don't want to go to a gourmet shop in search of items that will sit in their pantry for years after they use just a teaspoon or pinch of them.