Buying cheap, imported, industrialized food can affect food security, cause environmental

issues and negatively impact our health. Farmers, local producers and the end consumer (us)
are affected by this problem. Us, as buyers tend to opt for what appears to be the cheapest
option without considering the added price and consequences of paying less. In the past we
hunted for food, with agriculture came the surplus of food and we bartered and traded it, but
capitalism and industrialization helped food turn into a commodity, falling under the principles of
production with the intention of profiting (Magdoff, 2012, 15). This is a problem affecting the
entire world, from food deserts in the United States
(​http://americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/usda-defines-food-deserts​) to food scarcity in
India (​https://www.theglobalist.com/indias-food-crises-close-up/​), one of the countries that led
the green revolution.

This is an open letter to young adults, old senior citizens and all of those in between, middle
class consumers with the economic power to choose organically grown food. We may not
experience problems with food security and therefore we may see the problem mentioned
above somehow abstract. We could feel powerless and think the solutions should have to come
from above. One could blame local and international governments instead of taking an active
approach and exercise the power we have over such entities.

We do have power. In the state of Washington the acreage of certified organic apples grew by
37% (2016 to 2017) all thanks to what the consumers and market demanded
(​https://hygeia-analytics.com/2018/03/03/a-tipping-point-for-organic-apples-in-the-pacific-northw
est/​), by choosing organically and locally produced products we can promote these practices.
Dan Barber, chef and scholar mentioned he has heard from farmers the following: “Give us the
market and we’ll grow whatever you want.”.

Even though we may be familiarized about the term organically grown produce, not all of us are
entirely sure what this entails as some studies reveal (Aryal Et al., 2009, 16), therefore we may
not understand the reason behind the higher prices and can be easily tempted by the cheaper
price tags on the alternative options found in the supermarkets: processed, industrialized food
like chips, canned corn from the U.S, frozen fish from Canada or even chicken from a different
country can be more affordable than local products. What some of us don’t know are the hidden
costs of this food, some of which we can end up paying at a later point in our lives. Excessive
weight and obesity, the main drivers of Diabetes type 2, will become a burden on all of us
paying to support public health systems and of course on the individuals who suffer this
condition (​Yach et al., ​2006, 63). So, by spending a few dollars now we may be contributing to
save much more while benefiting from a healthier diet. Something that ​doesn’t​ have to be
complicated as Michael Pollan, author and food activist puts it "Eat food, not too much, mostly
plants" (Pollan, 2007).

Buying local is not the only thing we can do, there are different steps or approaches we can take
as consumers. You can begin by cooking at home more often, this will help you get in touch with
food, literally, and learn that the best ingredients are not always the more expensive or difficult
to find but generally the fresher. Get to know ​what’s ​produced in your city, county or state. Eat
whatever is in season. Visit a farm, talk to your butcher, find out where your food is coming from.
Plant and grow something. The best form of teaching is always behavior.

If you believe food should be a social good and not a commodity, learn more about it and get in
touch with people who think alike, you are not alone, there are entire organizations devoted to it
who would appreciate your support (​https://viacampesina.org/en/​).

References:

Aryal, K. P., Chaudhary, P., Pandit, S., & Sharma, G. (2009). Consumers’ willingness to pay for
organic products: a case from Kathmandu valley. ​Journal of Agriculture and Environment​, ​10,​
15-26.

Magdoff, F. (2012). Food as a Commodity. ​Monthly Review​, 63(8), 15. Available online
https://monthlyreview.org/2012/01/01/food-as-a-commodity/​ [accessed on April 5th, 2018]

Pollan, M., & Meals, U. (2007). Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. ​New York Times.

Yach, D., Stuckler, D., & Brownell, K. D. (2006). Epidemiologic and economic consequences of
the global epidemics of obesity and diabetes. ​Nature medicine,​ ​12​(1), 62.