Category Archives: Food Policy

How the Subsidy Garden Grows

Posted on June 7, 2011 | Leave a comment

America’s Subsidy Garden – Politics – Utne Reader.

Fascinating infographic on how the White House kitchen garden would look if it reflected federal subsidies! The first thing that comes to mind is: why do we need so much corn? and then: hey, what happened to the fruits and vegetables?

We need to grow more fruits and vegetables to meet the minimum dietary requirements and we certainly do not need to be helping corn any more. All this money going to corn, soy and tobacco would be much better channeled to fruits and vegetables. Remember that this picture has a hidden layer: our current corn based diet is a factor in the rising rates of obesity, diabetes and high healthcare costs so we pay at the grocery store for bad food choices and then again we pay huge medical bills for consequent illness. Redirecting subsidy payments to fruit and vegetable crops will mean a varied, more healthy diet. So I can put a healthier dinner on the table, avoid visits to the doctor, not have to worry about medical bills and know that we have a more robust food system. It’s not rocket science, but will it become a reality in the 2012 Farm Bill? Maybe you can pose that question when someone comes to ask for your valuable vote.

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Policy, Nutrition

Tagged food policy, nutrition

USDA’s new Food Plate

Posted on June 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

The Food Pyramid is officially retires, here are the latest dietary guidelines from the USDA in their new shape of a plate.

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Policy, Nutrition

Tagged food policy, nutrition

Facing the Food Challenge with Consensus

Posted on June 1, 2011 | Leave a comment

Food prices and shortages are rising around the world and this trend is expected to continue. A broken and defective food system that is wasteful and out of reach for many, will be further stressed by the impact of climate change and rising population. How can we deal with this crisis? As an earlier post pointed out, the world can choose between consensus or conflict to resolve this issue.

It would seem that some countries have already made their choice: China and Saudi Arabia among others are investing in farmland in Africa and now Brazil in order to secure food security for their citizens. This will only serve to enhance conflict. Starving people cannot be expected to respect borders, wherever there is plenty , conflict will follow. It would be in the interest of all to approach this in a way that is thoughtful and just. This problem can be interpreted as an opportunity to fix the broken food system at home and also at the global level. The 2012 farm Bill needs to ensure that citizens at home are not deprived of access to food produces in their own country by others who seek to bypass the market system here. Lester Brown’s article explains how South Korean buyers are establishing direct contacts with farmers and buying up grain before it even reaches the market. Globally, countries and their governments must come together to respond to this challenge in a timely and effective way. The political will to make big changes and go in a different direction is always. We can support positive measures by keeping ourselves informed, making our voice heard by approaching our representatives and making good choices in our daily lives.

Leave a comment

Posted in Climate Change, Food Policy, Food Security, Price Rise

Tagged climate change, food policy, food security, Price Rise

Fairtrade Spices

Posted on May 31, 2011 | Leave a comment

I grew up reading about the spice route, about the traders venturing far from home to bring back exotic flavors from faraway lands, and the riches that this trade generated. When I moved away from home, opening up a packet of cumin or fenugreek would waft up fond memories. But there is also a different side to all this nostalgia: the women farmers or children who grow these spices are often exploited, the pressures of trade are leading to single cropping and loss of biodiversity and spices are often adulterated and this is difficult to detect. All of which makes it essential that we learn where our spices come from and try to ensure a just system for the growers and safety for consumers. The article is here, from The Ecologist.

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Policy, Food Safety

At the Farm….

Posted on May 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

is where the revolution starts: whether your concern is hunger, climate change, poverty or economic growth, agriculture provides a starting point. Very informative piece: Green Economy | Farming First.

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Policy, Food Safety, Food Security, Green, Nutrition

Food Friction

Posted on May 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

We are just now waking up to a new world, one in which conflicts will revolve around food: this is Lester Brown’s analysis in Foreign Policy magazine this month. The causes for this crisis are not just the old ones of rising population, lack of access, scarce resources, or vagaries of the weather which constrain supply and cause food inflation. To these, we now have to add, the diversion of grain from food to fuel, disappearing aquifers and desertification, leading to countries becoming unable to feed their people and of course, the elephant in the room, climate change. It is estimated that for a 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, crop yields drop by 10 percent. In another article, Frederick Kaufman addresses the role of speculation in fueling the rise in food prices.

How is the world reacting to this? In the post World War II era, the world was rebuilt by coöperation, through the setting up of institutions (UN, FAO, World Bank, IMF) that were supposed to work in the interest of the common good. Today, however, countries are intent solely on pursuing their parochial interests. Some like China and Saudi Arabia are leasing or buying land in Africa for their own projects. (That this land is essential for the food security of the people living there is of obvious concern). South Korea is setting up a system of buying grain directly from US farmers so a part of the produce would be diverted before it ever enters the market.

This is not about the future, this war is here and now: we have to address the issue of climate change in a constructive way, we have to restructure our food world: from industrial size operations to mid and small size farms, from destructive techniques to nurturing agroecology practices, and personally to a healthier (smaller portions, less meat, more seasonal) diet.

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Policy, Food Security, Green, Price Rise

Tagged food policy, food security, Green, Price Rise

The GM Debate

Posted on May 4, 2011 | 1 comment

For those who might be interested in informing themselves on the GM debate, a scientific perspective that addresses concerns on biosafety, biodiversity, and intellectual property among other things.

The GM debate is about more than biosafety – SciDev.Net.

1 Comment

Posted in Food Policy, Food Safety, Food Security, Nutrition

Tagged food policy, food safety, food security, nutrition

Food Impossible

Posted on May 2, 2011 | 1 comment

It is forecast that by the year 2050 there will be 9 billion people on the planet. How will they all be fed? It depends on who is asked the question, but the fact remains that a crisis is growing. On the demand side, the increase in population means that there is an ever increasing demand for food. As countries make economic progress, consumers in those countries move into higher income brackets and demand a higher proportion of meat in their diet. This leads to the diversion of resources in the agricultural sector from food to feed production and raising animals for meat also leaves a bigger carbon imprint contributing to global warming. Even without this, we have to contend with the fact that drier, warmer weather are going to have an adverse impact on crops. So, where should we direct out efforts?

One of the positive effects of economic progress is that increased incomes and standards of living lead to smaller families and some experts feel that the population growth rate will not be as high as projected. Others argue that the problem is not one of production, we already produce enough food, but one of access. Increased incomes should provide increased access but if this leads to a demand for a meat based diet then that would be unsustainable for the planet.

So much for the factors behind the crisis. To get back to the original question: how do we feed so many people? There are those who would vote for a more widespread adoption of organic/sustainable methods which would also help heal the badly battered planet while others see a huge potential in biotechnology which can provide drought resistant crops, increased yield and also the possibility of better health outcomes (for example, golden rice).

Perhaps we could see our way to picking from these choices the best combination to solve our problems? Can we try to follow good farming practices while harnessing the benefits of new technology? We have been experimenting with cross-breeding, growing hybrids and other techniques for centuries; adopting some new strains developed through the use of genetic modification is another step down that road, it will not make us grow another ear or turn purple. There is no satisfaction in being “right” while people and the planet suffer.

1 Comment

Posted in Food Policy, Food Security, Price Rise

Tagged food policy, food security, Price Rise

The Atlantic Food Summit 2011

Posted on April 26, 2011 | 1 comment

An interesting day in the food world, speakers with great insights from all parts of the food world. I would have preferred to see a more in depth analysis of the issues relating to biotechnology but otherwise came away replete! Video here from the Atlantic.