Cheap FoodCheap FoodGwendolyn Hallsmith

Cheap: definitionCheap: definition

cheap  (chēp)adj. cheap·er, cheap·est 1. inexpensive

a. Relatively low in cost; inexpensive or comparatively inexpensive.

b. Charging low prices: a cheap restaurant.

2. devalueda. Obtainable at a low rate of interest. Used

especially of money.b. Devalued, as in buying power: cheap dollars.

3. Achieved with little effort: a cheap victory; cheap laughs.

4. Of or considered of small value: in wartime, when life was cheap.

5. Of poor quality; inferior: a cheap toy.6. Worthy of no respect; vulgar or

contemptible: a cheap gangster.7. Stingy; miserly.

National PoliciesNational Policies

“What our food system does well is precisely what it was designed to do, which is to produce cheap calories in great abundance.”

Our food system “is the product of a specific set of government policies that sponsored a shift from solar (and human) energy on the farm to fossil-fuel energy.” Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto,

in an open letter to the new President Elect titled Farmer In Chief. (New York Times: October 9, 2008). Pollan is a professor of science and environmental journalism at the University of California at Berkeley.

The Price of SubsidiesThe Price of Subsidies

In the years 2003, 2004, and 2005, subsidies for corn producers in the U.S. was over $20.5 billion, fully 26% of their market revenue.1

In the 2008 Farm Bill, corn, soy, wheat, rice, and cotton will receive $7.5 billion per year.

Iowa Ag Review, Spring 2006

Agribusiness WelfareAgribusiness Welfare

Three cotton farmers in California will receive the equivalent of the entire U.S. budget for organic food research and extension.

Five corn farmers in the midwest will receive the equivalent of the entire U.S. budget for farmer’s markets.

Institute for Food and Development Policy, Fall 2007

The ResultsThe Results

After cars, the food system uses more fossil fuels than any other sector of the economy – 19%

The way we feed ourselves contributes more to greenhouse gas emissions than anything else we do – 37%

Michael Pollen, October, 2008

Food and FuelFood and Fuel

• In 1940, 2.3 calories of food energy were produced for every calorie of fossil fuel energy. Today, it takes 10 calories of fossil fuel to produce a single calorie of supermarket food.

• As the cost of fossil fuel goes up, this guarantees that food will not be ‘cheap.”

Global FoodGlobal Food

You are here

You are here

In the U.S., the average grocery store produce travels 1,200 miles to get to our homes.

World Food PricesWorld Food Prices

Growing SeasonGrowing Season

Juneau Alaska 148 daysTucson Arizona 324 daysEureka, California 323 daysTallahassee, Florida 239 daysSavannah, Georgia 268 daysBurlington, Vermont 147 days

Source: Old Farmer’s Almanac

Vermont Farm AcreageVermont Farm Acreage

Vermont Total Farm Acreage, 1850-2002

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

1850 1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1978 1987 2002

Year

Acres

% of Total Vermont Land% of Total Vermont Land

Percent of all Vermont Land in Farms,* 1850-2002

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

1850 1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1978 1987 2002

Year*Calculated using the 1990 Census of Population and Housing total agreage for VT of 5,919,552

Percent

Number of Vermont FarmsNumber of Vermont Farms

Number of Farms in Vermont, 1850-2002

05,000

10,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,00040,000

1850 1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1978 1987 2002

Year

Number of Farms

Washington County FarmsWashington County Farms

Number of Farms in Washington County

0

100

200

300

400

500

1992 2002

Year

Number of Farms

Local Farm Sales ValueLocal Farm Sales Value

Washington County Farms by Values of Sales

050

100150200250

Less than $2,500$2,500-$4,999$5,000-$9,999

$10,000-$24,999$25,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999

$100,000+

Sales

Number of Farms

1987

1992

2002

Who are the Farmers?Who are the Farmers?

Farm Operator Characteristics

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1992 2002

Year

Number

Primary Occupation

Any Days Worked Off-Farm

200 or More Days WorkedOff Farm

The Food SystemThe Food System

Food: Economic OpportunityFood: Economic Opportunity

Source: Mike Schuman

Money Leaking out of the Vermont Economy $millions/year

St. Lawrence County, NY St. Lawrence County, NY

• A New Planning Paradigm

• Research Teams & Conference

• Local Business Promotion

Source: Mike Schuman

New York FindingsNew York Findings

Ratio of Hay to Vegetable-Growing Acreage: 517:1

Percentage of timber harvest going to nonlocal mills: 60

2 Million3,741Chickens

2,1412,277Sheep & Lambs

37,9391,587Hogs & Pigs

15,4614,176Beef Cows

LivestockConsumed

Livestock Raised

Source: Mike Schuman

Central Vermont Central Vermont Food Systems Council Food Systems Council

Established with a Mazer Grant from the City of Montpelier

Convening key individuals, organizations, farmers, companies, and institutions to create a sustainable food system.

Proactive planning for food security.

Activities of the Activities of the CouncilCouncil

Research existing food systems components in Central Vermont

Increase productivity in existing food system components.

Engage in a dialogue with local, regional, and state government about policies, strategies, and funding that will support increased local food security.

We are not alone…We are not alone…

You can help!You can help!

Choose a diet rich in locally grown and processed foods. ask food stores to buy from local growers and processors.

Ask where items on restaurant menus came from and tell them you want to eat locally produced and processed foods.

Shop at farmers' markets and food co-ops.

You can help!You can help!

Buy a share in a CSA farm or sponsor someone else's share.

Participate in a community or school garden or start a home vegetable garden and share with neighbors, a community kitchen or local soup kitchen.

Cook from scratch. Support policies that favor local farms and other elements of community food systems.

Food: Our Heritage, Food: Our Heritage, Our Future Our Future