What's Wrong With Our Food System?
By: Emily Lopuski
USDA: Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry
In 1990 the US Congress passed the
Organic Foods Production Act to create the countries first standards for
organic foods. Shortly after, demand for organic foods began to rise
exponentially. Many farmers could not keep up with demand, and experts realized
the potential growth of the organic food sector was being inhibited. In the
2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act, Congress agreed to provide funding
that would aid the growth of the organic agriculture sector in numerous ways.
This USDA Economic Information Bulletin from 2009 aims to address why
financially supporting organic farmers was necessary and how these funds have
benefitted the organic food market.
Because the demand for organic foods was much greater than the supply from the late 1990s to early 2000s, farmers faced numerous challenges. In 2004, a whopping 44% of organic farmers reported supply shortages, while over 38% of organic distributors were importing at least some of their organic foods. Although the study found that organic farming is less efficient in terms of weight of product per acre, it listed several environmental benefits to organic farming: reduced pesticide residue in water and food, reduced nutrient pollution, lower energy use, improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity, and carbon sequestration from the atmosphere.
With a 400% increase in government spending on organic agriculture from 2002-2008, costs of organic foods have decreased greatly. Currently, the funds allocated have a variety of purposes, including helping farmers convert from traditional to organic farming, enhancing organic food marketing, and furthering studies on the environmental benefits of organic agriculture. So far the 2008 Farms Act has been viewed as highly successful; many programs it set forth will expire near the end of this year, but it seems the USDA is expecting them to be renewed, possibly with even more funding.
On a national scope, this means that we may see an increase in organic farming, as well as a simultaneous drop prices of organic products over the next few years. As the environmental analysis studies have shown, this could have a very positive impact on various ecosystems, which could in turn increase the efficiency of organic farming. Hopefully, we can also decrease the nations dependence on imported organics.
There are also several benefits for the local Burlington, Vermont food systems. As on the national scale, we will likely experience the continual decline of the price of organic products. More importantly, in my opinion, hopefully some local farms using traditional practices will take advantage of this funding in order to convert to organic agriculture. If this is the case, many of us will no longer have to choose between local and organic foods. If our foods were both local and organic, they would be the healthiest choices for both our bodies and our environment.
Because the demand for organic foods was much greater than the supply from the late 1990s to early 2000s, farmers faced numerous challenges. In 2004, a whopping 44% of organic farmers reported supply shortages, while over 38% of organic distributors were importing at least some of their organic foods. Although the study found that organic farming is less efficient in terms of weight of product per acre, it listed several environmental benefits to organic farming: reduced pesticide residue in water and food, reduced nutrient pollution, lower energy use, improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity, and carbon sequestration from the atmosphere.
With a 400% increase in government spending on organic agriculture from 2002-2008, costs of organic foods have decreased greatly. Currently, the funds allocated have a variety of purposes, including helping farmers convert from traditional to organic farming, enhancing organic food marketing, and furthering studies on the environmental benefits of organic agriculture. So far the 2008 Farms Act has been viewed as highly successful; many programs it set forth will expire near the end of this year, but it seems the USDA is expecting them to be renewed, possibly with even more funding.
On a national scope, this means that we may see an increase in organic farming, as well as a simultaneous drop prices of organic products over the next few years. As the environmental analysis studies have shown, this could have a very positive impact on various ecosystems, which could in turn increase the efficiency of organic farming. Hopefully, we can also decrease the nations dependence on imported organics.
There are also several benefits for the local Burlington, Vermont food systems. As on the national scale, we will likely experience the continual decline of the price of organic products. More importantly, in my opinion, hopefully some local farms using traditional practices will take advantage of this funding in order to convert to organic agriculture. If this is the case, many of us will no longer have to choose between local and organic foods. If our foods were both local and organic, they would be the healthiest choices for both our bodies and our environment.
By: Trevor Beutel
Greene, Catherine et. al. (2009). Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry. Economic Information
Bulletin, (55). United States Department of Agriculture. Online.
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib55/eib55.pdf.
City Market to Open Second Location
Source
In this article, the general manager of city market (Clem Nilan) states that a second City Market location will be in business in about a year and a half. As we found in our City Market interview, their local/organic sales are extremely high, and they have been struggling to support the increasing demand for these products in their current location. There are currently three possible locations for the second store: the Pine Street corridor and Archibald Street (both in Burlington) or in Winooski, just outside of Burlington. What is especially notable about these locations (specifically Archibald Street and Winooski) is that they are in areas more accessible to lower-income customers. This not only demonstrates that the local/organic food markets are rising steadily (with City Market eager to keep up) but also that City Market is actively working towards its mission statement.
By: Trevor Beutel
Organic agriculture and sustainable food production system: Main potentials
As organic agriculture (OA) continues to grow, focus is now turning to how OA can support sustainable food production systems (SFPS). The benefits of sustainable food are just now coming into mainstream food production. Not only is it healthier, with no synthetic chemicals or pesticides, but it can support local production and distribution. Also, when comparing other agricultural approaches to OA or SFPS, OA and SFPS do significantly better with dealing with negative impacts of climate change. This type of food production is more resistible to the threats and in turn yield considerably higher and more stable crops, having the potential to lower wold food prices.
OA has also taken into high consideration the practices of indigenous agriculture and overall knowledge in organic practices. This knowledge is helping to manipulate complex agro-ecosystems for breeding seeds and livestock, as well as on farm fertilizers such as compost, manure, green manure, etc. OA has recently been a major influence in the use of local seeds, which in most cases are more adapted to local climate conditions.
Across the board organic agriculture and sustainable food production systems are becoming one of the few secure methods to secure food production in the future. Overall they use water more efficiently, relies considerably less on fossil fuels, prevents land degradation and improves soil fertility, is more resistant to drought, produces higher yields under dry conditions, is more pest resistant and includes local knowledge and varieties. As the benefits and security of these methods spread, OA and SFPS is expected to become the new “norm”, and secure the worlds food sources.
By: Tanna Elliott
Asadi, H., Schoonbeek, S., Mahmoudi , H., Derudder , B., De Maeyer , P., & Witlox, F. (2011). Organic agriculture and sustainable food production system: Main potentials . Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment , (144), 92-94.
Organic Food In Grocery Stores Is On The Rise.
The availability of organic foods in common supermarkets is
on the rise, and with the increasing popularity and demand will continue to
increase as more major brand names start to jump into the trend and purchase
and develop organic products of their own. The retail sales of organic foods
have been showing to be rising and are expected to continue to rise. The
organic food industry has seen a growth rate of 17 to 20 percent in 2004 and
over several years. As the larger companies jump on the organic train, the
prices of the products will also be expected to drop due to greater
availability from companies. Grocery stores experienced 37% of organic sales in
2003 and with the added availability, will see even more of a rise. As more
news about the health benefits of an organic diet as well as lower prices from
higher demand will allow grocery stores to take the organic market head on and
find profits from it.
MSNBC
By: Emily Lopuski
"Vermont businesses harness solar power to promote sustainability and cost cutting"
Solar Power has many companies rethinking energy consumption, and Burlington’s City Market is no different. Two years ago solar panels were installed on the roof of the downtown Burlington’s market, and have generated a total of 77,065 kilowatt-hours to date. Their system is a 31.28 kW system that makes up 3% of the market’s electricity usage. As the environmental and economical benefits of solar energy continue to be discovered, businesses are beginning to take advantage of the free energy.
Solar power is also becoming popular among the feds. Assistance from the government, particularly in Vermont, is making the switch to solar more obtainable for may companies and households. Several renewable energy incentives are already put in place including the Clean Energy Development Fund, the U.S. Department of Agriculture grant program, a 30% Federal tax credit and the solar adder. However, even with out government aid, the costs of solar panels and installation have decreased significantly in the past two years.
Solar hot water is also taking off, especially with rising fuel prices. In short, the solar hot-water system pre-heats the water that flows into the existing hot water tank, reducing the amount of energy used by the existing take, reducing energy consumption overall, and the variety of businesses and individuals taking advantage of this energy is remarkable.
Many believe today's use of solar energy is just the start. Solar power has the potential to be built right into business design. By making the most of one of our most abundant renewable resources and reducing the amount of artificial lighting, buildings and companies can not only save economically but environmentally.
By: Tanna Elliott
City Market's Eat Local Challenge!
Here's a video produced by Seven Days that focuses on City Market's efforts to promote local food. While a bit dated, it gives a solid introduction of the main ideas behind the importance of local food systems. I wonder, has this become an annual challenge??
-Peter Boyer
-check it out!
----> So, this is a bit lengthy. But there is quite a bit of substantial information dug-in here and if you take a minute to sort through the pages its rather easy to navigate and spot-read for specifics that might be of interest.
This plan, endorsed by Peter Shumlin, outlines the future strategies for agricultural development in Vermont- ANYone with a vested interest in the Vermont food system will surely find this information highly enlightening. Furthermore, between the lines of these pages lies the overall paradigm (motivations, attitudes, approaches) of the suitcoats calling the shots in this food system; understanding this plan will empower any stakeholder entrenched in the rapidly evolving food system! And if you take a minute to sort through the pages its actually rather easy to navigate and spot-read for specifics that might be of interest.
For its readability credit, there are some easy-to-look-at pictures, diagrams, graphics, etc, and plenty of color!
-Peter Boyer
And a few additional words from Vern Grubinger----------> Ten reasons to buy local food!
Farm-to-Plate: A Ten-year Strategic Plan for Vermont's Food System
-check it out!
----> So, this is a bit lengthy. But there is quite a bit of substantial information dug-in here and if you take a minute to sort through the pages its rather easy to navigate and spot-read for specifics that might be of interest. This plan, endorsed by Peter Shumlin, outlines the future strategies for agricultural development in Vermont- ANYone with a vested interest in the Vermont food system will surely find this information highly enlightening. Furthermore, between the lines of these pages lies the overall paradigm (motivations, attitudes, approaches) of the suitcoats calling the shots in this food system; understanding this plan will empower any stakeholder entrenched in the rapidly evolving food system! And if you take a minute to sort through the pages its actually rather easy to navigate and spot-read for specifics that might be of interest.
For its readability credit, there are some easy-to-look-at pictures, diagrams, graphics, etc, and plenty of color!
-Peter Boyer
And a few additional words from Vern Grubinger----------> Ten reasons to buy local food!
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