Food Connect - Impact on Health and Industrialized Food System - Essay Example

Food Democracy in Practice Introduction Food Democracy is the right to access culturally appropriate, sustainable, and healthy food and this include participation in food production and distribution. The following is a critical review of Food Connect, an alternative food system created in line with the concept of Food Democracy and challenging the traditional profit-driven and ecologically destructive food system. These include a brief overview of Food Connect, its impact on health and industrialized food system, its role in addressing the four dimensions of meaningful participation, contribution to Food Democracy, and its effectiveness in helping citizens regain control and establishment of long-term food system change. Brief Overview of Food Connect Farmer Robert Perkin founded Food Connect in 2004. The idea is to create a large community shared agriculture enterprise that will be benefit the people of South East Queensland in terms of food system. Food Connect consist of farmers and subscribers (consumers) who mutually benefit each other. Food such as fresh fruit and vegetables, groceries, and so on being delivered to Food Connect Homestead are coming from farmers and small freight companies around Brisbane. In turn, Food Connect packs and delivers these goods to City Cousins, a network of families, schools, and community centres, three times a week. To ensure stable market for their members (mostly farmers), Food Connect requires six boxes minimum subscription (Food Connect Brisbane, 2012, p.1). Food connect is challenging the traditional profit driven food supply system while maintaining food integrity, make real food available, increasing consumer awareness of the food they eat, and reducing the impacts of chemical farming on farmers, consumers, community, and the environment (Food Connect Sydney, 2012, p.1). A message from Julian Lee, General Manager of Food Connect Sydney suggest that Food Connect is providing farmers with better opportunity in terms of market stability and income while consumers benefits from fair food prices and availability, learning more about the food they eat, and health (ibid, 1). Impact on Health and Industrial Food System Analysing the modern agrifood system described by Hinrichs et al., (2008), today’s food system is increasingly becoming industrialized as evidence by growing corporate participation in food transportation, processing and retailing (p.33). In other words, the food system is still profit-driven despite ecological degradation and social and ethical issues. However, there are other sectors focusing on social change activities such as those using the concept of food citizenship and civic agriculture influencing production and marketing of food. They are also sectors challenging the dominant food system by promoting inclusion (participation of the marginalized group in the agrifood system such as farmers), reformation of the existing guidelines, and development of alternative paradigms. Some are acting like a warrior, builder, and weaver in contesting corporate trajectory, creating alternatives, and developing strategies and establishing linkages between these sectors (ibid, p.34). Food Connect belongs to this social change-driven sectors and its impact on health is incontestably beneficial. For instance, fruits and vegetables delivered to and distributed by Food Connect are directly coming from local farms produced by chemical-free farmers (Food Connect Sydney, 2012, p.1). In other words, they are fresh and distributed with nutrients intact, safe and environmental friendly as they are organic or chemical free. According to Duram (2005), organic farming is not just about chemical-free farming as it involves keeping beneficial insects and plants, unique farming management decisions such as crop choices, planning, harvesting, and marketing. The problem however is that organic farmers are traditionally spending too much time marketing their products, as they are mostly independent of the mainstream industrial agricultural system (p.3). Food Connect eliminate organic farmers marketing problem through Food Connect Homestead where farmers can sell their products conveniently and at a fair price (Food Connect Sydney, 2012, p.1). Duram (2005) noted that both organic production and consumption is progressing rapidly. For instance, 11 percent of farms in Switzerland are organic while organic food sales in Denmark and Austria is 4 percent of the total food sales. In the United States, 72 percent of conventional stores sell organic food while organic snacks, candy, frozen food increased by 70 percent in 2000. This is because government support organic food production and marketing through regulation, subsidies, organic marketing channels, and technical assistance and information in most countries (p.4). The impact of Food Connect, a system of organic agriculture with a unique marketing strategy in industrialized food system is in the challenges it posed on conventional capitalist market practices that devalues the natural and human resources involved in producing foods people eat. Such food system makes people aware of the true nature of industrialized food system and its ecological and socially destructive practices. In particular, industrial food system practices with health implications such as use of chemicals in food production and treatment of animals (Lang & Heasman, (2004), p.6). In global terms, alternative food production and marketing not only raised consumer consciousness but the hidden ecological and health cost of industrial food production. For instance, fair trade movement’s emphasis on having a more equitable, sustainable production and exchange encourage solidarity among food producers, consumers, and marginalized farmers that eventually frustrate participation of transnational corporations (Barrientos, 2012, p.6). Addressing the Four Dimensions of Meaningful Participation The four dimensions of meaningful participation according to Hassenein (2008) include being knowledgeable of the food we eat and the food system that produce it. Another is the ability to share ideas with others about the food system such citizens discussing and deliberating on issues about food. Similarly, individual should have the capacity to become proactive consumers involve in addressing and solving community food problems – efficacy and willing to set aside self-interest in favour of the larger community – orientation toward community good (p.291). By analysis, Food Connect encourages not only participation in the food system but community shared agriculture or CSA. For instance, people who acquire fresh food from Food Connect have greater connection with the environment and the farmers who grow their food. According to Food Connect Brisbane (2011), consumers are generally considered “faceless masses” in traditional food system thus, farmers are not familiar with the people eating their food. In contrast, farmers and consumers in CSA are familiar with each other and participating in both growing and distribution of food. They shared the risk in food production and concern about the health and environmental impacts of unsustainable practices (p.1). In fact, PFA or Participatory Farmer Assessment is an evaluation of farm practices in areas such as safety and nutrients, landscape and environment, use of resources, values and ethics (ibid). In the second dimension, Food Connect enable encourages sharing of ideas and acquisition of broad knowledge about the food system. For instance, since industrial food system is traditionally filled with self and economic interest, it tends to limit people’s knowledge of food production. Promoters of Food democracy such as Food Connect on the other hand are open to public and media. For instance, Farm Tours, Media Releases, and Public Talks are evidences how this alternative food system educate the public. Moreover, Food Connect websites are informative as it contains almost everything about the food system, news and current events, and inputs from farmers and consumers (Food Connect Brisbane, 2011, p.1). In terms of efficacy through proactive involvement, the capacity of individuals to determine their own relationship to food and public is provided by Food Connect through socially responsible production and distribution. For instance, most farmers contributing to the food system are living near a Food Connect homestead thus easily accessible to consumers who want to see for themselves how their food is being produced. According to Food Connect Brisbane (2011), through their social return on investment or SROI report for 2011, farmers around the homestead are now more confident and having better sense of community. Similarly, Food Connect subscribers demonstrated increased willingness to support local farmers. Moreover, these changes not only contributed to Food Connect success but also inspire and benefit other stakeholders such as the federal government through increased savings and tax contributions (p.1). The fourth dimension of meaningful participation is evident in the willingness of Food Connect stakeholders to go beyond their self-interest and become role models for others. For instance, food suppliers like Ray and Sam Palmer recently travelled to Asia to join LVC, an organization of small-scale and peasant farmer, and share their experience about farming, trade, and importance of collaboration in producing appropriate food for the world’s population (Food Connect Brisbane, 2011, p.1). Contribution of Food Connect to Food Democracy (Warrior, Builder, Weaver Approach) Being a warrior, Food Connect contribution to Food Democracy is evident in their continuing quest to avoid destructive industrial food system practices. For instance, community shared agriculture challenges the ability of traditional food system to hide important aspects of food production from the public, affect people’s health with fertilizers, and pollute the environment with machine-based farming. It is also challenging traditional food system through equitable and socially responsible food distribution by paying farmers a fair price for their products and letting the public more aware about the food they eat (Food Connect, About Us). A “builder” is someone who creates an alternative food initiatives or reconstructing the food system (Stevenson et al, 2008, p.34). By analysis, Robert Pekin created Food Connect with community shared agriculture in mind – an alternative food system. However, this does not end with mere vision but continuous promotion of equitable and socially responsible farming and distribution. Food Connect in the process is building a community of responsible people ready to give up their self-interest for the greater good of the community. As a weaver, Food Connect continues to develop strategies and conceptual linkages between its warrior and builder activities. For instance, the programme “Farm Tours” is a unique way of establishing the connection between community shared agriculture and socially responsible farming as farmers and city residents are meeting together to share their ideas and become aware of their respective responsibilities (Food Connect Brisbane, 2011, Farm Tours). Another is initiatives such as incessant promotion of eating healthy food and ecologically sustainable food production. Informative articles like “Local Food is Better”, “Grown your own Food”, “Food Sovereignty in Australia” are good examples how Food Connect weave and build linkages in order to mobilize the community (ibid, About Us). Effectiveness in terms of citizens' regaining control and long-term food system change Food democracy according to Pilcher (2012) is not mere food activism but the ability of all to access culturally appropriate, sustainable, and healthy food. These include the ability to be heard, participate in shaping the system, and establish a long-term, environmentally and economically sustainable, and socially equitable food system (p.101). In essence, Food Connect should satisfy the above requirements in order to be effective particularly in providing citizens with long-term control over the food system. By analysis, Food Connect’s “Community Shared Agriculture” concept is primarily community empowerment or the ability of consumers to know more about their food and participate in decision-making. Moreover, there seems a connection between access to culturally appropriate, sustainable, and healthy food and shared agriculture as citizens are in control of farm practices and food distribution. For instance, citizens can tell farmers what food they prefer and how they want it produce. This interaction between local farmers and consumers will likely result to a stable food system where farmers are ensured of income and consumers with appropriate and healthy foods. Moreover, community awareness of food production not only encourages local farmers to employ best farming practices but inspire other food producers and communities around the world to get involved in the new food system. Conclusion Food Connect empowers consumers through awareness and participation in food production and distribution. It is beneficial to farmers in terms of income and harmonious community relationship. With Food Connect, consumers are ensured of safe and healthy foods as farmers contributing to the food supply are ecologically and socially responsible. It also satisfies the four dimensions of meaningful participation through collaboration and collective action, community awareness of the food they eat, encouraging ecological and sustainable farming practices, sharing ideas and inspiring others on the benefits of the new food system, proactive consumer participation in the food system, orienting citizens to food democracy and promoting community good over self-interest. Reference List Barrientos S, (2012), Ethical Sourcing in the Global Food System, US: CRC Press Duram L, (2005), Good Growing: Why Organic Farming Works, US: University of Nebraska Press Food Connect Brisbane (2011), Food Connect, available online at http://brisbane.foodconnect.com.au/ Food Connect Sydney, (2011), Sustainable Produce Direct From Your Local Farmers, available online at http://sydney.foodconnect.com.au/ Hassanein N, (2008), Locating Food Democracy: Theoretical and Practical Ingredients, Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 3:2:3, pp. 286-308 Lang, T & Heasman, M (2004), The Food Wars Business, In Food Wars: The global battle for mouths, minds and markets, London: Earthscan. Pilcher J, (2012), The Oxford Handbook of Food History, US: Oxford University Press Stevenson G.W, Ruhf K, Lezberg S, & Clancy K, (2008), Warrior, Builder, and Weaver Work: Strategies for Changing the Food System, in Hinrichs C. & Lyson T, (2008), Remakig the North American Food System: Strategies for Sustainability, US: University of Nebraska Press Read More

Some are acting like a warrior, builder, and weaver in contesting corporate trajectory, creating alternatives, and developing strategies and establishing linkages between these sectors (ibid, p.34). Food Connect belongs to this social change-driven sectors and its impact on health is incontestably beneficial. For instance, fruits and vegetables delivered to and distributed by Food Connect are directly coming from local farms produced by chemical-free farmers (Food Connect Sydney, 2012, p.1). In other words, they are fresh and distributed with nutrients intact, safe and environmental friendly as they are organic or chemical free.

According to Duram (2005), organic farming is not just about chemical-free farming as it involves keeping beneficial insects and plants, unique farming management decisions such as crop choices, planning, harvesting, and marketing. The problem however is that organic farmers are traditionally spending too much time marketing their products, as they are mostly independent of the mainstream industrial agricultural system (p.3). Food Connect eliminate organic farmers marketing problem through Food Connect Homestead where farmers can sell their products conveniently and at a fair price (Food Connect Sydney, 2012, p.1). Duram (2005) noted that both organic production and consumption is progressing rapidly.

For instance, 11 percent of farms in Switzerland are organic while organic food sales in Denmark and Austria is 4 percent of the total food sales. In the United States, 72 percent of conventional stores sell organic food while organic snacks, candy, frozen food increased by 70 percent in 2000. This is because government support organic food production and marketing through regulation, subsidies, organic marketing channels, and technical assistance and information in most countries (p.4). The impact of Food Connect, a system of organic agriculture with a unique marketing strategy in industrialized food system is in the challenges it posed on conventional capitalist market practices that devalues the natural and human resources involved in producing foods people eat.

Such food system makes people aware of the true nature of industrialized food system and its ecological and socially destructive practices. In particular, industrial food system practices with health implications such as use of chemicals in food production and treatment of animals (Lang & Heasman, (2004), p.6). In global terms, alternative food production and marketing not only raised consumer consciousness but the hidden ecological and health cost of industrial food production. For instance, fair trade movement’s emphasis on having a more equitable, sustainable production and exchange encourage solidarity among food producers, consumers, and marginalized farmers that eventually frustrate participation of transnational corporations (Barrientos, 2012, p.6). Addressing the Four Dimensions of Meaningful Participation The four dimensions of meaningful participation according to Hassenein (2008) include being knowledgeable of the food we eat and the food system that produce it.

Another is the ability to share ideas with others about the food system such citizens discussing and deliberating on issues about food. Similarly, individual should have the capacity to become proactive consumers involve in addressing and solving community food problems – efficacy and willing to set aside self-interest in favour of the larger community – orientation toward community good (p.291). By analysis, Food Connect encourages not only participation in the food system but community shared agriculture or CSA.

For instance, people who acquire fresh food from Food Connect have greater connection with the environment and the farmers who grow their food. According to Food Connect Brisbane (2011), consumers are generally considered “faceless masses” in traditional food system thus, farmers are not familiar with the people eating their food. In contrast, farmers and consumers in CSA are familiar with each other and participating in both growing and distribution of food.

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