A sobering statistic for oyster lovers: According to an article in the Christian Science Monitor, 70% (!) of America’s oysters come from the Gulf of Mexico. As of now, 32% of the Gulf’s fishing waters are closed and prices are going up as supplies go down. Gulf shrimp supplies are down 75% according to the New York Times and the spill has become a “public relations nightmare” for the multibillion-dollar Gulf fishing industry as diners refuse to buy potentially polluted seafood. Sadly, the two fishes unaffected by the spill are snapper and tuna–far, far less sustainable catches that the shrimp and oysters that live closer to shore. Oyster prices are up about 40% so far, but the bigger concern is a total lack of supply. It looks like it’s going to be a long, hot summer unrelieved by a refreshing plate of oysters or grilled gulf shrimp.

Meditate on the loss and feast on nostalgia by reading Will Blythe’s mollusc memoir “Oysters I Have Known & Loved” and MFK Fisher’s classic Consider the Oyster.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never been to Washington, DC. I’ve been to the capitals of four European nations, and never to our own… (Godless pinko!) But now that I know about the Special Collections at the National Agriculture Library (which occupies a 14-story building on the grounds of the cool-yet-creepy looking USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center), I may have to finally take that patriotic pilgrimage. This summer may be the moment, to coincide with this summer’s “Beans are Bullets” exhibition, featuring of the NAL’s collection of war-era food posters. Take away the whole war thing and these posters are basically advertisements for Be Thrifty–in message anyway, if not motivation.

I have created a slide show of my favorite posters (after the jump, click on any image to get started), but you can explore the entire Read on… »

Donate $125 to City Harvest and get a scrumptious evening of cocktails and bites from New York’s tastiest. What a bargain! Cocktails from Freeman’s, pizza from Motorino–what more could you want? Besides an end to hunger in the most food-rich city in America, of course.

What: Summer in the City 2010 to benefit City Harvest

When: Tuesday, June 22, 7:30-10PM

Where: The Metropolitan Pavilion

125 W. 18th St., Manhattan

Tickets are $125. Go here to buy them.