Food Glorious Food
February 21st, 2008I came across this humdinger of a letter to Hillary Clinton at the Celsias site. Whilst it could be regarded as some kind of political stunt it does raise serious issues about the nature of our globalised food chain.
I have never been a fan of Monsanto and there despicable deeds have been well recorded. But as we have seen with the impact of biofuels, the whole food production process is changing and judging from the price increases not for the betterment of consumers. A new term has been coined: Agflation
In New Zealand we are seeing the benefits and costs of food price rises. Our diary farmers are raking it in but consumers are suffering. But consumers are taking action; they are eating less meat and dairy; they are reinstating the veggie patch and being more circumspect about their shopping habits.
This brings several benefits: healthwise less meat and dairy is generally good for you; growing your own veggies creates a sense of self-sufficiency, gets you in touch with nature and you get to eat really fresh food; there is a greater focus on food and what you eat with many people finding it cheaper to avoid processed food and make your own from scratch.
Isn’t that what many activists have been calling for for a long time? And the reason that this is happening? The price mechanism.
People respond to price signals. And when the respond they can be very smart about it. There’s a lesson in here for the bureaucrats and activists.
Let’s hope they find it 
Tags: bio-fuels, efficiency, food, inflation, markets, new zealand, price
February 21st, 2008 at 6:41 am
Raf – have I mentioned the 800sq metre community garden sitting in the paddock just down the hill from where I sit
Goddam hippies – not content with reinventing commerce they want to reinvent both community and agriculture as well!
Talk soon
b
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:49 am
Hey Raf,
I’m concerned with agflation, because the dramatic rise in the price of food puts in beyond the reach of those that really need it to an extent that people in Haiti are actually buying biscuits, made from dried yellow clay mixed with water, salt and vegetable shortening or margarine, have, because they are unable to afford even a plate of rice.
If you want to read an incisive and biting commentary and analysis of the modern industrial food system you must read the book, Stuffed and Starved, by Raj Patel. Its well worth the read.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Ben,
Sounds like you’re living the Good Life up there.
James,
Yes I’ve heard about that book and it looks worth a read. How ironic that the last 15 years has seen supposedly tight monetary policy from supposedly switched on central bankers.
Oops….yet we’ve had a massive asset bubble and now commodity price one as well…..who said inflation is dead?
More to the point when will they put their hands up and take responsibility for the financial cataclysm currently being felt all around the world.
Where’s Sir Alan when you need him
March 9th, 2008 at 3:40 am
[...] mentioned Agflation previously and we’re starting to see more concern expressed at the official level. The UK [...]