Farm Bill - Finding Balance

Comments in response to Farm and Food Policy Project, "Seeking Balance...". Keep up the great work, guys! And those who haven't yet, click here to endorse this movement now!


Farm and Food Policy Project
(202) 543-1300
www.farmandfoodproject.org


17 January 2007

Dear Jesse and Team,

Your “Seeking Balance in U.S. Farm and Food Policy” is great! Thank you for all of your hard work putting together such an important and necessary document. Please add our name as a national supporter. We are a nonprofit corporation with the purpose of promoting agriculture for good health within all communities and can be found on the internet at www.farmosafarms.org. We provide nutrition education as well as marketing and business consulting to individuals and organizations alike: Suburbia is our home – a place where both young and old are in need of and receptive to some “smart-shopping” education.

We are most thrilled with your understanding of the importance of “Innovations to Expand New and Competitive Markets”. We are a strong believer in the responsibility of the consumer and the effectiveness of advertising and branding, if done appropriately of course.

We find that not only do, “too many Americans remain hungry or uncertain about where their next meal will come from,” (p. 6) but many do not know how to eat smart. Nutrition education is listed as a core farm bill priority (Yes!). In addition I would share this concept earlier in the paper to emphasize the importance.

For example, in the Introduction, p. 2, first paragraph, it is stated that, “All Americans, whether farmers or not, recognize that agriculture is vital to the nation and must remain productive, profitable, and sustainable.” I do not believe this is true, or even remotely true. People take agriculture for granted, thus the need for better education and changes in policies. Average Joe does not know the difference between a subsidy and a Sub-side. The general public can barely identify a proper portion size or an averagely healthy meal let alone organic and trade-fair. Granted, they are getting smarter, the markets are changing but we need more!

As you know, the lack of ability to “shop smart” is a significant part of our country’s increase in diet-related diseases such as Obesity and Type II Diabetes. I recommend adding a bullet point to the, “Evidence of the current imbalance is all too apparent” section, specifically on the importance of educating both consumers and businesses. Not only do consumers need and want to learn how to eat healthier but businesses can and want to work smarter. Businesses have the opportunity to make prevention a priority (they may as well help their target audience live longer, stretch the buying dollar, build economy to last, etc.), and they can make prevention profitable! Business schools can be looking at their curriculum: Are they teaching how to make wellness profitable? Let us encourage all that as well.

Keep up the great work and keep us posted.


Best wishes,

Caroline L. Craven
president