Small farms
A 'Family Farm Tour' in Western North Carolina (organized by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) was a rewarding way to spend some time this weekend. ASAP works to keep farmers farming and reconnect people with their food and is a wonderful regional support for small farm operations and promoting eating food grown locally.
I've trying to learn a lot more about where the food we (my gardening companion and I) eat comes from and how it's produced (beyond what I grow) and it's a fascinating pursuit - and extremely humbling and not always pleasant.
Are we as American consumers ready to pay for sustainably and humanely produced food?
Currently, I'm afraid the answer is probably no (based on my question to my gardening companion about chicken $6 for an organically raised, free-range bird vs a $3 mass-produced broiler - but he's not the cook and food buyer in our family).
My answer is yes.
I've trying to learn a lot more about where the food we (my gardening companion and I) eat comes from and how it's produced (beyond what I grow) and it's a fascinating pursuit - and extremely humbling and not always pleasant.
Are we as American consumers ready to pay for sustainably and humanely produced food?
Currently, I'm afraid the answer is probably no (based on my question to my gardening companion about chicken $6 for an organically raised, free-range bird vs a $3 mass-produced broiler - but he's not the cook and food buyer in our family).
My answer is yes.
It is a hard decision sometimes. I really like the farm co-ops, it gives us an opportunity to get acquainted with local farmers and local produce.
ReplyDeleteI do hope so! I think sustainable farming is so important for our future. You may also be interested in Send a Cow and our work - we work with African families to develop sustainable farming techniques. We also have produced some films about this topic area http://www.sendacow.org.uk/ourwork/ourworkonfilm which we hope highlights the importance of sustainable farming for the future and also as a great way to fight poverty.
ReplyDeleteI do hope so! I think sustainable farming is so important for our future. You may also be interested in Send a Cow and our work - we work with African families to develop sustainable farming techniques. We also have produced some films about this topic area http://www.sendacow.org.uk/ourwork/ourworkonfilm which we hope highlights the importance of sustainable farming for the future and also as a great way to fight poverty.
ReplyDeleteMy answer is yes...but we are fortunate enough right now to have the income to afford it....It's a sad state when dinner at a fast food restaurant is less expensive then good healthy food...gail
ReplyDeleteThe debate you are having is one I am having with people all the time. Is it Utopian to want our food to be produced sustainably and ethically? And will Joe Public be prepared to pay the price?
ReplyDeleteAnswers please someone!
Rob