Ultra-processed Foods: What Are They? Why Should You Care?

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About half the calories consumed by people in high-income countries such as the United States and Canada come from ultra-processed foods, and such a high consumption of these “Franken-foods” contributes to many health problems.

            What are ultra-processed foods?

            Most of our food is processed to some degree, if only with preservatives, and not all processing is bad. Pasteurized milk is “processed,” and is generally safer than unpasteurized milk. Iodine added to salt gives health benefits.

            There are many ways to classify how foods are processed, but the most widely used system is NOVA, developed by academic food scientists in Brazil.

            NOVA Group 1 includes unprocessed or minimally processed foods. The latter includes removal of inedible parts, drying, roasting, freezing, etc., with no additives.

            Group 2 includes processed ingredients such as salt, sugar and oils that are used as additives.

            Group 3 includes foods where the Group 2 ingredients are added to Group 1 food to increase their durability and enhance their flavor.

            Group 4 foods are those that are ultra-processed, foods that are manufactured, often in several steps.

            Natural food products are fractionated into sugars, protein, oil and fats, starches and fiber. These component parts are then chemically treated, most often by hydrolysis or hydrogenation. The final food product is then assembled with various industrial techniques and colors, flavors and preservatives are added.

            Common ultra-processed foods we may consume daily include carbonated soft drinks, packaged snacks, ice cream, flavored breakfast cereals, prepared pies, pasta dishes and pizzas, “nuggets,” hot dogs, sausages and powdered instant soups and desserts. Note that some of these may be labelled “all-natural” or organic.

            Why should you care? High consumption of ultra-processed foods has been linked to such health problems as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and many gastrointestinal disorders.

            Recent studies have shown that ultra-processed foods, usually high in both sugar and fat, trigger a similar brain response as do addictive substances like nicotine and alcohol.

            What should you do? First, realize that U-P foods are not arsenic. Having a scoop of ice cream or some fries once in a while will not kill you. In moderation, they can be part of a healthy diet. The goal is to keep U-P foods to less than 25% of your daily calories.

            Eat fresh or stewed fruit in place of store-bought pies and cakes. For breakfast, have oatmeal or minimally processed granola with fruit rather than sugary cereals. Cook more: Bake chicken or fish rather than heating up prepared frozen dinners.

            Look at labels. If a product contains 4 or more ingredients, some of which you cannot pronounce, put it back. If it is obvious where the food came from (eggs come from hens, apples from trees) it is generally OK. If the origin is unclear, try something different.

            Don’t fall for hype – an “organic natural” packaged cookie might still be ultra-processed.

            Dr. Ed Hoffer is the chairman of the Marion Board of Health, a graduate of MIT and Harvard Medical School. He is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard and a Senior Scientist at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Ed Hoffer

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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One of the maps in our current exhibit shows the Lothrop-Thomson Purchase of 1673. The purchase of 1800 acres was made by John Tomson, Joseph Lothrop and Barnabus Lothrop. They paid 10 pounds to Native Americans, William Wetispaquin, Assaweta, Tobyss and Beevat for the tract of land. The acreage in part bordered Snipatuit Pond and was in the area that became North Rochester.

            This purchase of land predated the purchase of the lands of Sepecan and the creation of the town of Rochester. Because of this, the land in the Lothrop-Tomson purchase was not located in any town or county.

            Papers found at the museum show that Barnabus Lothrop petitioned the Governor of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England and the honorable council and House of Representatives in the General Court on the 29th of May in 1706. In his petition, he represented himself and the heirs of Joseph Lothrop and John Thomson who were deceased. He wrote that their lands “are situate lying and being within the farthest colonies of New Plimoth” and are “not yet put within any town nor county which is found to be very prejudicial and inconvenient to us”.

            He sent a second letter on October 18, 1706, repeating his concerns and adding that not being in any county “we know not how to prosecute those that cut and carry away our timber off from our land.” There is a lot more flowery language and prayers to God that a “righteous” decision will be made.

            This second letter or petition did the trick and in October, 1706, the council ordered that the tract of land “therein mentioned be annexed to the county of Barnstable and at present put under the constablwick of Rochester until this counsil shall see cause otherwise to order”. Hopefully, this put an end to the thefts of his timber.

By Connie Eshbach

ORR Preschool Openings Available

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is pleased to announce that openings are available in the Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Project GROW preschool program.

            Project GROW was established in an effort to provide high-quality preschooling to children in Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. 

            “Our inclusive and accessible Project GROW program exemplifies our commitment to providing every child with the opportunity to learn and thrive regardless of their abilities and background,” said Superintendent Nelson. “We are thankful to the staff who work very hard to give these preschoolers a memorable and positive first classroom experience.”

            The goal of the program is to provide preschool to children whose families have been unable to enroll in another program and who desire a preschool experience. The program also aims to provide an inclusive learning environment for children with special needs.

            The program consists of two classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays at $2,520 per year; and Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at $3,780 per year.

            Classes take place from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Sippican School and Rochester Memorial School, and 8:50 am to 12:50 pm for the Center School. All classes follow the public-school calendar. Families with preschool-aged children participating in the program can attend at the school located in their respective town.

            Openings are available to all children who reside in Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester who will reach age 3 before September 1.

            Preference is given to children who may be considered educationally at risk, children who have special needs, children with no preschool experience, children in foster care, children who have experienced homelessness and families that meet tuition-assistance eligibility guidelines. Preference is also given to those with parents who have special needs or a disability, parents in active military service, teen parents and children cared for by a grandparent or guardian.

            “Our high-quality preschool program is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where every child, especially those with special needs, can receive an excellent education,” said Early Childhood Coordinator Doreen Lopes. “Our hope is that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow to their fullest potential.”

            There will be many opportunities for parents and guardians to get involved in their child’s educational experience through the program, and they are encouraged to participate. Parents and guardians are reminded that they are responsible for providing transportation to and from the program each day. Each preschool class is staffed by a certified teacher and assistant. The program aligns with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and follows the High/Scope curriculum.

            To register your child for the program, visit oldrochester.org/departments/early-childhood-programs/project-grow?

Commission Waiting for Directive

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On March 25, the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission once again received a report on the status of The Bogs project off Acushnet Road, now owned by the Buzzards Bay Coalition. In recent months, excavation-site work and stormwater volumes had rendered stormwater control systems unable to handle drainage necessary to keep the water on site.

            Calls to the commission by abutters expressing concern that stormwater had overtopped temporary drainage systems put in place during full on-site work had been received. Subsequent site evaluation by Brandon Faneuf, the town’s environmental agent, bore witness to the massive flooding described by neighbors. The commission saw fit to issue an Enforcement Order to the BBC for immediate remedy to take place.

            On-site monitoring of the former bog acreage was put in place to ensure that any future stormwater runoff would be contained on the site through an elaborate system of ditches, ponds and coffer dams.

            The commission also suggested that soils transferred from the site from storm flooding might contain harmful agricultural chemicals historically used on cranberry bogs. The issue of whether or not to mandate soil testing was referred to the Select Board, whose response is still pending, Chairman Mike King stated.

            The biweekly report noted that erosion controls were holding as designed and that work on the site that will ultimately result in new walking trails and passive, outdoor recreation opportunities, found everything in order.

            While the BBC did not request a lifting of the Enforcement Order, King said the commission still needed to hear from the Select Board in the matter of soil testing before lifting the order.

            In other business, a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Judith Otter, 15 Bay View Avenue, for improvements to an existing deck received a Negative Box 2 decision.

            Certificates of compliance were issued to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for work completed on Phase 1b of the bike path and to Dan McCarthy, 16-18 Ocean View Avenue, for an invalid Order of Conditions.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, April 8, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Community Programs at the MNHM

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March 27 – Inviting Pollinators in your yard with Joe Dwelly. Let’s take a look at gardening with the native plantings that our local pollinators rely on,, including Monarchs and milkweed, Spicebush Swallowtail and sassafras, and the Mourning Cloak and hackberry. We will also be looking at wing pattern diversity. Meet at the Marion Natural History Museum at 10:30 to 11:30 and remember to RSVP.

            April 3 – Frogs and Toads. Come learn about the frogs and toads of our region with Certified Frog Watcher Maggie Payne. We’ll take a look at some of our more common species and hopefully some live specimens. We’ll also hear about citizen science programs that you can participate in to help keep track of these important forest species. Free event. Meet at the Marion Natural History Museum at 10:30 to 11:30. Please RSVP at www.marionmuseum.org to ensure a seat.

            April 12 – Amphibian Ecology and Diversity in the Highest Elevations in New Hampshire. Join us as we welcome Scott Smyers, Senior Scientist with Oxbow Associates. Scott will be presenting his study of Wood Frog populations in high elevations in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Let’s take a look at these important ecosystems hidden in plain sight, some right along hiking trails, in the White Mountains. We will hear about amphibian species distribution, changes in communities, and shifts in calling phenology that reveal how complicated these ecosystems are for amphibian’s survival. Program will be held at the Museum from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Please remember to RSVP, and there’s a $10.00 suggested donation to the Marion Natural History Museum.

Body Art Regulations Approved

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            Marion Board of Health member Albin Johnson asked Marion Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez if the board’s proposed regulation, including a one-time usage of pencils in body-art businesses resulted in “any blowback.”

            Rodriguez, reporting to the board during its March 21 public hearing on amendments to the regulation “Guidance for Body Art Establishments,” said she sent a draft of the regulation to area businesses but had yet to receive any reactions.

            Hoffer recommended one more tweak to require a hot-air hand dryer opposed to paper towels. “A lot of restaurants are using that now,” he said.

            With the town’s plan to schedule business permits for renewal at the end of the calendar year, Marion Health Director/Nurse Lori Desmarais asked if the Health Department should prorate permit renewals due to expire during 2024.

            Board Chairman Dr. Ed Hoffer agreed it would not be fair to charge a full year’s permit fee from a company with a permit needing renewal in June, for instance.

            With that, Hoffer and Johnson voted to approve the regulation as circulated by Rodriguez. Dr. John Howard, the third member of the board, was unable to attend on March 21.

            During the board’s review of correspondence, Health Director/Nurse Lori Desmarais reported that a follow-up letter to Lighthouse Liquors, 664 Mill Street, had resulted in the payment of one installment of a fine levied for serving a minor but that the second and third installments were past due as of the March 21 meeting.

            Johnson suggested a next step of asking the proprietor to “come in and explain.” Hoffer suggested Desmarais give it a week and then request an appearance at the board’s next meeting on April 11.

            The board took note of the Immediate Response Action (IRA) completion report and Permanent Solution with Conditions statement regarding an oil spill at 16 North Great Hill Drive. The spill was noted by Hoffer to be “above ground” and by Johnson to consist of an estimated “23 tons.”

            After sending a letter regarding a failed Title 5 septic system at 38 Rocky Knook Lane, Desmarais told the board she has heard from the installer following Monday’s percolation test. The property is unoccupied, and the home is being renovated by Designer Home Properties.

            Hoffer said that Eversource Energy has sent out a 2023-27 Five-Year Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) for eastern Massachusetts, an annual plan to remove trees.

            Desmarais let the new owner of property at 1121 Point Road know on February 12 that a Title 5 septic system would be required. The house was sold on January 5.

            In her update to the board, Rodriguez reported on Chapter 2 housing inspections and complaint updates, including a visit to 110 Old Knoll Road where a sump pump has failed. Rodriguez said excavators were present upon her visit and discussed the situation. She said an engineer was hired to put chambers in the back of the home to mitigate the escaping water and reported some improvement according to neighbors. The owner, reports Rodriguez, says he’s doing all he can to make sure the sump pump does not drain onto adjacent properties.

            In her update to the board, Desmarais reported on a failed Title 5 septic system at 2 West Drive, where she said no one is living. A plan submitted in July 2023 indicates that the property will connect to town sewer. Plans were sent to Weston & Sampson in December, and a revised plan was to be submitted on March 27. Other neighboring properties are looking to hook up. The building commissioner’s approval is waiting on clearance from the Board of Health.

            The town received two requests for COVID-19 vaccine on the morning of the March 21 meeting. The minimum order from the town is 10 doses. Southcoast Public Health Collaborative money can be used for vaccines, so Marion will seek reimbursement from the collaborative.

            In a Community EMS update, Desmarais reported on a recent presentation on allergies, and another one is in the works for May that will address dog bites.

            Hoffer noted that a hospital in Florida is besieged with hundreds of bats, after which Johnson recalled that the meeting room in the Town House Annex Building where the board sat on March 21 used to have a problem with bats.

            Johnson recalled that the upper floor of the adjacent Elizabeth Taber Library now occupied by the Marion Museum of Natural History “many years ago” sustained the collapse of its ceiling from the weight of the bats’ guano (partially decomposed excrement). Johnson said the town’s only cases of rabies in humans have been from bats.

            Thanks to the Public Health Excellence Grant, there will be a training scheduled in April and May for members of the collaborative, school nurses, EMT’s and other first responders.

            Desmarais suggested some of the $5,000 be appropriated to replace the department’s plotter (large printer). Desmarais reported that Town Administrator Geoff Gorman was quoted approximately $9,000 for a replacement of the equipment shared by other departments.

            Mosquitoes, if standing water, can apply for help on their own property.

            A new Plymouth County program scheduled for winter months will allow residents to call and request the county to remove up to 10 tires. Notification will go out to residents in October.

            Hoffer suggested that the board recommend that the Town of Marion withdraw from the Marion-Rochester Health District, which only exists at this point to administer the lone employee’s pension. Johnson said the district existed before the Marion Board of Health.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health will be scheduled for Thursday, April 11, at 4:30 pm at the Town House Annex Building.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

Bad News Blossoming

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So, you think we have issues with trees and far-away bureaucrats telling us what to do to them. Pity the poor souls in Washington, D.C., the homeland of bossy bureaucrats who are facing another attack on Mother Nature’s offspring.

            Here’s the bad news. The National Park Service plans to take the chainsaw to 158 of the iconic cherry trees that stand tall between the Potomac River and the National Mall. In total, 300 trees of various species will be removed.

            Over 1,500,000 visitors from all over the world come to Washington every year – according to the tourist brochures – to be “entranced by the delicate pale pink blossoms that visitors have enjoyed for more than a century.”

            If you haven’t made your reservations yet for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, you’re too late. Peak bloom came early this year, and the Mall will soon have construction fencing surrounding the casualties for up to two years.

            The reason for this surgery is that the retaining wall along the Tidal Basin is crumbling and must be replaced to the tune of $114,000,000 dollars. Photos of the wall bear a striking resemblance to our own Holmes wharf. Experts say, if the repairs are not made, Washington will become a swamp. What? I thought Washington was already a swamp. But I digress.

            One of the trees to be cut down is the iconic “Stumpy,” a small, hollow, ugly remnant with one or two branches that still bloom. Stumpy’s demise has been all over the national news recently, but in case you missed it, the tree was the darling of social media back in 2020 because it has survived numerous storms and floods. Unlike the other trees on death row, Stumpy will be replaced by a “baby tree” in the same spot. Small comfort to its fans.

            All of this is being done without consulting the district’s residents; after all, the Mall is their backyard (and ours). One wonders what George Washington, the expert on cutting down cherry trees, would think. Is it possible that Stumpy is the very stump that old George famously chopped down? Not likely. These cherry trees were gifted to the United States by Japan in 1912. George was long gone by then.

            There is some good news, however. The National Arboretum promises to take cuttings from the tree and clone a new one which will be planted somewhere on the Mall. Whether it will be hollow and ugly when it matures in 20 years remains to be seen.

            Rest assured the other sacrificial trees will be replaced by 275 new saplings. Their predecessors will be ground into mulch and spread around, preserving the historic area as hallowed ground. Maybe a sharp entrepreneur could buy the mulch, package it, and sell it as souvenirs. Just a thought. Anyway, there is more good news. There are 3,800 cherry trees around the Mall, so what’s a few missing trees among friends?

            And there is still more good news. You might have guessed that the existing walking trail (a sidewalk?) will be widened after the trees are removed during the renovation.

            The National Park Service is on a roll. They also plan to cut down 1,200 trees in Rock Creek Park, also in the District. According to a group opposed to the plan, the 8 acres in question “provides significant ecosystem services and habitat to visitors and wildlife.” This area of the District has been called the “Lungs of D.C.” The removal of the trees will allow the Park Service to … wait for it … to rehabilitate a golf course!

            Editor’s note: Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and retired newspaper columnist whose musings are, after some years, back in The Wanderer under the subtitle “Thoughts on ….” Morgado’s opinions have also appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado

Book (re)Marks: What’s up this month at Plumb?

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Welcome to Book (re)Marks, all the info you need about what’s happening at the Library this month. Did you know that April is National Gardening Month? The Library has lots of books on garden planning for growing vegetables, fruit, and flowers, as well as gardening ideas for attracting butterflies, bees and wildlife. We have some on display in the hallway and lots more on the shelves.

            Come learn a new skill to add to your crafting toolbox. The Making Bows with Bunny workshop will be held at 6:30 pm, Thursday, April 4. This free workshop will walk you through tying decorative bows for wreaths, floral displays, gift wrapping and more. Space is limited, registration is required. Sign up on the Events Calendar on our website, www.plumblibrary.com.

            The COA Book Club will meet at 1 pm, Tuesday, April 16 to discuss “Hello Stranger” by Katherine Center. Books & Babble Book club will be discussing “The Kaiju Preservation Society” by John Scalzi at 6:30 pm, Thursday, April 25. Books for both clubs are available for pickup at the Library or on the Libby app.

            We also have four book clubs for kids. BookBuds meet the first Friday (4 pm and 5 pm) and Saturday (10 am and 11 am) of the month. There are groups for kids from ages 6-teen. See our Events Calendar for more info.

            Do you like to knit, crochet, or cross stitch? If so, join us from 6-8 pm on Mondays for a social gathering of handcrafters. Bring your latest project or something from the stash. Maybe your creative outlet involves pen and paper? Join our Writer’s Group the third Thursday of every month to keep those ideas flowing. Open to anyone 18+. Next meeting is 6:30 pm, April 18.

            The Friends of the Library will meet at 6:30 pm Monday, April 8. This meeting is open to the public. Join us for discussion of upcoming fundraising efforts, including the spring book sale, scheduled to be held in May.

            The Board of Library Trustees is meeting at 6:30 pm., Tuesday, April 9. This meeting is open to the public and the agenda is posted here: www.townofrochestermass.com/node/425/agenda

            The Library will be closed on Monday, April 15 in observance of Patriot’s Day. If you are looking for something to do during April School Vacation week, check out our selection of Museum and Zoo Passes, including Heritage Museum and Gardens, which opens for the season on April 20.

            Lots of amazing new books, including Wonderbooks, are on our shelves. Don’t know what to read next? Ask us for a recommendation.

            Questions? Please call (508-763-8600) or email (info@plumblibrary.com). As always, we hope to see you soon at the Library.

Wetland Activities Bring Complaints

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            Marion Conservation Agent Doug Guey-Lee received two, unrelated complaint calls on separate properties last month, both involving clearing activities in wetland areas.

            He addressed the Marion Conservation Commission during its March 13 public meeting to discuss a strategy on addressing the complaints, describing one of the properties as a vacant, rear lot.

            “You can see there’s quite a bit of wetlands there,” said Guey-Lee, locating it on the western side of Point Road near a basketball court.

            Guey-Lee said that some time ago David Pina met with him and Building Commissioner Bob Grillo with an eye on making a plan to either sell the lot or develop it.

            “It kind of fell off the radar … it’s not clear if they sold it. He’s not obligated to tell us,” said Guey-Lee, noting that an anonymous complaint call about land clearing came in during a time in February when he was out of the office with illness. “It’s not even clear who I would contact.”

            Member Shaun Walsh, an attorney, offered to help Guey-Lee with the process.

            “If the complaints that the office has received (are considered credible), I would reach out to Mr. Pina … and find out if he still owns the property,” suggested Walsh, recommending reaching out to the Plymouth County of Deeds.

            Guey-Lee says he has walked the property at least once but, without regular contact, the next step is complex.

            Another complaint also came in February, this one from the state Department of Environmental Protection regarding a property owner that had been clearing into a wetland area.

            Guey-Lee said that the driveway is the lowest point of that property, which made it difficult for him to get a vantage point to inspect the property. A neighbor told him no one had been at the property since November.

            “I would suggest just drilling down and reaching out to the owner, like the other property,” suggested Guey-Lee.

            Carlos and Jennifer Varnum were voted an Order of Conditions for the construction of an attached garage and living-room additions with a crushed-stone driveway extension (to the existing crushed-stone driveway) and associated grading and utilities.

            Nathan Chofay of Principe Engineering based in Tiverton, Rhode Island, presented on the applicants’ behalf, noting that portions of the work will be done in the 100-foot buffer zone to the bordering, vegetated wetland. There will be less than 1 acre of disturbance, and no variances are being requested. Chofay also noted that neither house addition nor the garage will be built in the flood zone or velocity zone.

            Vice Chairman Emil Assing, running the meeting in the absence of Chairman Jeff Doubrava, asked if the water-side addition to the house will include a foundation. Chofay said he believes the plan calls for the addition to lay on a slab.

            Walsh asked about roof runoff and discharge. Chofay said it would include downspouts. “I’m good, pretty straightforward project,” said Walsh.

            In response to comments requested by the Planning Board regarding the application of Johnson Family Investments LLC (Fieldstone Market) for an expansion project, Assing said that there is a small corner of wetland in the back corner, and Matt Schultz said there is work planned inside the 100-foot buffer zone.

            Assing said the case should file a Request for Determination of Applicability with the commission but nothing extensive.

            Carol Carson spoke to the commissioners about her work with the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance and the importance of restoring the proper elevation for the nesting of turtles in the marsh (coastal dune). The commissioners said they would be happy to arrange site visits to areas of concern and discuss the interests of the NECWA.

            Sippican Holdings LLC, scheduled for a public hearing for its NOI for the redevelopment of an existing building and parking lot at 13 Barnabus Road into a self-storage facility requested a continuance, which was granted to the commission’s next meeting on March 27.

            The Marion Conservation Commission was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, and its next meeting is slated for Wednesday, April 10, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station on Route 6.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

Bulldogs Made a Magical March

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Following their March 16 loss to top-seeded Charlestown for the MIAA Division state championship, members of the Old Rochester Regional High School boys’ basketball team were disappointed in the ending. But don’t let that make you forget how well they did as a team this season.

            “We were obviously very disappointed, but very few kids get an opportunity to play at that point. The accomplishment at the end of the day is more than the disappointment,” said ORR head coach Steve Carvalho.

            Coming into the 2023-24 season, Old Rochester lost four of their five starters from the previous season. This meant some players had to step into new roles.

            “Two of our senior captains, Chase Besancon and John Butler, came off the bench last year. I knew they were both going to blend right into their roles,” said Carvalho. “Gavin Martin led the league in assists, which is a great accomplishment … Zach Mourao, too, what a fabulous year he had.”

            The starters weren’t the only ones stepping it up, however.

            “Finn Kavanagh came up this year from (junior varsity) and gave us some good minutes as a sixth man,” said Carvalho.

            The Bulldogs went on to dominate the South Coast Conference and earn the second seed in the state tournament, winning home playoff games against Foxborough, Salem and Dover-Sherborn before winning a neutral-site semifinal against Pittsfield. They finished with a 21-5 overall record.

            Butler, Besancon and Maurao were selected by coaches as SCC All-Stars. Butler was selected as ORR’s candidate for the Dave Cowens Award, a regional recognition that goes to an exceptional student-athlete in both boys and girls basketball in southeastern Massachusetts.

Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky