Will food policy change?
We’re now poised for new leadership… and a new dog at the White House.
Will the nation’s food policy change?
Most of the campaign talk circled around the economy, health care and homeland security. In reality, our relationship with the food we eat is intertwined with all three of those areas.
With the commoditization of much of our food, we do spend less as a percentage of household income. Even with less expensive food, the rising costs this year has forced more people into a position where they can’t afford the weekly grocery bill.
A few generations ago before agri-biz was big biz and food was commoditized, we were closer to our food source and we valued the nutrition it provided. What we now eat – on average – is not as nutritious. The cost of that: poorer health, higher health care costs.
The food supply chain controlled by fewer and larger corporations. Food travels farther. Food security is more vulnerable.
Commodity or source of life
Obama has spoken out against the dominance of agribusiness. He has recognized that we need to develop and train a new generation of farmers. And he has also promised to boost support for organic farming.
But will he dig up part of the White House lawn and plant a garden?
Michael Pollan laid out some food policy suggestion in an open letter to the Farmer in Chief published in the New York Times.
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