The readings for this week point to one (or two) clear paths towards achieving more sustainable distribution methods as a part of achieving a comprehensive food system network. In particular, the readings focused on food markets and farm-to-school programs as solutions to the issues surrounding the distribution chain in today's food systems. Winne's article, "Closing the Gap," offered comedic relief to tell the story of the history of farmer's markets in the U.S. The superfluous measures of regulation surrounding the first farmer's market in Hartford, as told by Winne, provided a self-deprecating perspective on the management performance of local government in the face of something new and unfamiliar. Even still, the message at the center of the readings was clear: farmers markets provide fresh, local, and affordable produce to residents.
Farm-to-school programs offer a multifaceted approach to relieving the broken food system. Intended to support local farmers, and minority farmers in particular, as well as targeting dietary issues in youth, the farm-to-school program is both ambitious and entirely sensical. It is only logical, and equitable, that children should receive healthy foods to eat, but also to learn from. Initiating food education within the school system is a necessity in creating a dialogue around healthy foods and healthy cultures. Farmer's markets and farm-to-school systems appear to be the biggest initiatives in tackling the food crises that our nation faces, in the absence of institutional change. Taking small strides, such as these, is the answer to a lack of major policy response to the broken food system. Instead of addressing issues head-on by dismantling or at least heavily regulating the major food corporations, those who take the future of our nation's health seriously have turned to these alternatives. In some ways, it is difficult to maintain these programs as "innovative" to the food system, as they are the most pure and authentic iteration of our interaction with food. Yes, farm-to-school programs should be highly regarded, but why hasn't it always been in place? The mechanization of farming and mass production of agriculture completely disrupted the farming system, and planners and food-enthusiasts have been trying to reverse its effects for 30 and 40 years through programs such as these.
I think it's interesting to look at Farm to School programs almost as a step backward, into the right direction. Although I don't have any data to back up this claim, I assume that schools before agriculture became so mechanized would provide lunches from farms nearby. It would make sense that schools had to provide some kind of food option for children who did not bring their own. So assuming that is so, what incentives were schools given that caused there to be a national shift in what was purchased and provided? In a sense, I do think that Farm to School is really a movement to go back to what was in place before and educating younger generations on why it's needed.
ReplyDeleteDo you know if there are historic examples of Farm to School?
I agree that the farmers markets and the farm-to-school are a great means of bringing healthy, fresh foods into neighborhoods that need it. Its role as an educational experience is beneficial as well, children should learn about healthy eating habits early so as to better appreciate food as well as understand what it takes to grow it. In the city I grew up in there were not any schools who did the farm-to-school program, and I think it will continue to be absent in because of the "institutional change" you mentioned that has yet to happen. Yes we have mechanized our agricultural practices to make it nothing like it was in the past, and planners are the ones who want to make it better. However, the national government is largely bought out by agribusinesses that control our current food system, and though there have been many successful farmer's market establishments, some local governments can still face challenges when trying to improve their local food distribution. There needs to be an acknowledgement farmer's markets and other similar programs by higher levels of government in order for more to help promote these healthier food distributions.
ReplyDeleteFarm to school programs are generally less economically efficient for the school than buying really cheap processed foods. But, the important issue should not be money in this case. The value that these programs create is related to healthy food for children, agricultural education, and support for local farmers. In my eyes, all of these 3 things put together are more important than saving a little money by buying food from the huge national conglomerate.
ReplyDelete