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Let's look at this @ranaforoohar piece in the @FT, calling for a more resilient food system. I want that too! And she makes some good points, but also repeats misconceptions that plague the good food movement.
A THREAD for your reading pleasure. https://www.ft.com/content/1ec698f1-c97c-467b-99e3-009d7919af10#comments-anchor
A THREAD for your reading pleasure. https://www.ft.com/content/1ec698f1-c97c-467b-99e3-009d7919af10#comments-anchor
Totally agree that consolidation in the meat industry made it vulnerable. That's one of a whole bunch of reasons I believe that sector of ag is the one most in need of reform. But when it comes to crops decentralization may not be more resilient.
Many folks want more small local farms. Well, I have one of those, and may not make dollar 1 this year. And, yeah, oysters are weird, but over 30% of small farms risk bankruptcy because of COVID. Yet nobody's saying - hey look, small isn't sustainable! https://www.eater.com/2020/5/19/21263480/small-farms-on-brink-of-bankruptcy-due-to-covid-19-pandemic
And then there's the idea that farmers grow row crops instead of fruits & veg because of the subsidy structure, and that we'd have more healthful diets if more farmers grew veg.
Row crops (corn/soy/dry beans/wheat/ cotton) are very different from specialty crops (fruit/veg).
Row crops (corn/soy/dry beans/wheat/ cotton) are very different from specialty crops (fruit/veg).
And row crops are the staple crops that have been the backbone of the human diet since the dawn of agriculture. Corn & soy have given them a bad name, but whole grains & beans should still be the bulk of what we eat.
Veg is not the answer. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/we-need-to-feed-a-growing-planet-vegetables-arent-the-answer/2016/12/15/f0ffeb3e-c177-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html
Veg is not the answer. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/we-need-to-feed-a-growing-planet-vegetables-arent-the-answer/2016/12/15/f0ffeb3e-c177-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html
Also worth noting that veg farmers do not want the kind of subsidies that commodity farmers get. Just ask em.
Also, veg is demand-driven, so growing more won't fix things.
But Faroohar is TOTALLY RIGHT about the silliness of growing iceberg lettuce. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/why-salad-is-so-overrated/2015/08/21/ecc03d7a-4677-11e5-8ab4-c73967a143d3_story.html
Also, veg is demand-driven, so growing more won't fix things.
But Faroohar is TOTALLY RIGHT about the silliness of growing iceberg lettuce. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/why-salad-is-so-overrated/2015/08/21/ecc03d7a-4677-11e5-8ab4-c73967a143d3_story.html
And then there's the part about vertical farms.
Yes, less water, fewer inputs - yay!
BUT there's a big difference between turning energy from the sun into food & turning energy from the GRID into food.
Also, baby lettuce for rich people. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/will-indoor-vertical-farming-help-us-feed-the-planet--or-hurt-it/2016/06/16/f1faaa98-3332-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html
Yes, less water, fewer inputs - yay!
BUT there's a big difference between turning energy from the sun into food & turning energy from the GRID into food.
Also, baby lettuce for rich people. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/will-indoor-vertical-farming-help-us-feed-the-planet--or-hurt-it/2016/06/16/f1faaa98-3332-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html
Very glad to see a public convo about making food better. But some of the good food talking points just aren't supported by the evidence.
Now is a great time to look hard at what a better food system would really look like. Thanks to @ranaforoohar for jumping in.
OK I'm done.
Now is a great time to look hard at what a better food system would really look like. Thanks to @ranaforoohar for jumping in.
OK I'm done.
