WHO
IS IN CHARGE OF THE FOOD SHED
We are...
At one time 98% of us were farmers, now less than 2% are farmers. We are becoming more and more dependent on a shrinking population of providers.
BELIEF SYSTEM OF CORPORATE DOMINATED GLOBAL FOODWAYS
The tenets that drive global industrial agriculture complex:
WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING TO THIRD WORLD PROVIDERS:
TREND: POLITICAL DEMOCRACY IS LESS AND LESS INTERESTED IN ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY. (Look at our job losses to corporate restructuring, competition, improved efficiency)
THREE EVILS OF ECONOMIC EVOLUTION OF GLOBAL FOOD WAYS
1. CONCENTRATION
2. INTENSIFICATION
3. DISTANCING
CONCENTRATION AND INTENSIFICATION=ECONOMIES OF SCALE:
BENEFITS OF CONCENTRATION
EXAMPLE: Concentration and Aerial Spraying
COSTS OF CONCENTRATION
TODAY THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY CONSIDERS THE GREEN REVOLUTION, NOW 30 YEARS OLD, ITS GREATEST SUCCESS OF PLANETARY PATRIOTISM. YET, 800,000,000 MILLION PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT NUTRITION TO REACH THEIR GENETIC LIFE SPAN.
DISTANCING
Our food on average travels 1300 miles at tremendous cost of nutrition and energy.
Food, a commodity, is genetically altered for durability. Strains of tomatoes are chosen for their firmness and ability to travel over other considerations.
Distancing requires wasteful and polluting packaging.
ORGANIC FOODS ARE GOING THE SAME WAY, THE ORGANIC REVOLUTION IS DOOMED TO FAIL AS IT FALLS INTO THE HANDS OF CORPORATIONS.
DISTANCING DISCONNECTS US FROM THE FOOD SUPPLY.
WE NO LONGER CAN OVERSEE WHAT'S IN OUR FOOD: NUTRIENTS, QUALITY, POLLUTANTS.
DISTANCING DESTROYS HABITAT
BANANAS FOR EXAMPLE: STERILIZATION OF WORKERS; DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS; PROLIFERATION OF POLLUTANTS, FUNGICIDES AND HERBICIDES.
DISTANCING MEANS YOUR FOOD DECISIONS ARE MADE BY SOMEONE IN A BOARDROOM AND NOT IN A FIELD.
RESTAURANTS DO NOT BUY FROM LOCALS. THERE FOOT TASTES THE SAME BECAUSE THEY BUY THE SAME PRODUCTS FROM THE SAME DISTRIBUTOR.
SOLUTION
Statistics
Where do our calories come from?
Protein from plants:
We need 12% increase production of grain every year to keep up with current world population growth.
Sustainable farming (organic agriculture) costs about 8% to 10% more than chemical farming. This amounts to about $200 per year more for the consumer. Because fungacides are not sprayed on organic food they may not look as good. But local organic growers food often does because of closeness to marketplace.
Costs of modern farming squeezes more farmers off land. This seals our fate. Crop becomes commodities to be produced quickly and cheaply sometimes without regard to nutrient value.
It often appears Government and people in collusion to keep prices down. Consumer/government collusion is wanting and buying cheap food, often without a thought to why it is cheap.
Cattle raising takes land out of vegetable and grain (for people) production.
Human Evolution and Agriculture...Flow:
1. Ability to produce an excess of preserveable, storeable crop.
2. Population increases
3. Farming is intensified to meet greater need.
4. Intensification has costs, small farmers squeezed out
5. Industrialization needs population of cheap labor
6. Farmers become laborers
7. People need clocks, three meals
8. Government must keep prices down so...
9. Encourage big corporate farming: they own land, grain, steers, crops, transportation.
10. Start again with number 2.
Large Agribusiness firms have taken land out of "basic essentials" production in 3rd world countries. Other third world people eat poorly so we can have cheap beef, other animals, coffee, tea, bananas, etc.
Our government and military protects business and countries who cooperate. Cheap food keeps us from revolting at home.
We have the cheapest food prices in the world for high quality, nutrient dense foods. Other countries' food costs more, there is less selection.
High protein diets make us bigger, bigger people requiring more protein. Cycle of size increase intensifies need for food. Short people live longer, have less accidents. Guess what I'm short.