Food System

For centuries the food system was simple, and almost everyone participated by growing food for themselves, their families, and their neighbors.  As the Western world became less agrarian many people lost this vital connection to the land, to local farmers, and to the food they eat.  Because of this distance between the "consumer" and those who grow their food, a condition was created that led to the exploitation of the soil, water, farm workers, and especially the poor by powerful individuals and corporations.  Now mono-crops, synthetic and reductionist approaches to fertility, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO), water contamination, widespread dispossession of small family farmers, exploitation of migrant labor, and thousand mile journeys from farm to plate dominate the food system.

For the good of our health, our planet, and all of our neighbors, we must return to a more sustainable and just food system.

We can act.

1. Question the Industrial Agricultural Machine that puts profits above the care of people and the environment.
2. Personally reengage in the food system by learning about where your food comes from and how it is grown.
3. Shorten the food chain by buying local food from local farmers.
4. Begin to shift to a more plant-based diet.
5. Demand an end to the use of GMOs for the purpose of resistance to insecticides and herbicides.
6. Support politicians who will work for a more sustainable and equitable food system for all.

DID YOU KNOW?  75 years ago there were nearly 7 million American farmers.  Now there are less than 2 million even though the U.S. population has doubled.  Over production of commodity crops that are not for human nourishment is harming our health, security, and the ecosystem.   According to the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, transitioning 9% of cropland in the US to production of food for humans would provide enough food to feed the entire country.