Certified Organic, Fair Trade, and Civic Agriculture - Essay Example

Certified Organic, Fair Trade, and Civic Agriculture The ages old adage that 'you are what you eat' is an indication of the importance that society places on the foods we eat, their preparation, and more importantly their source. Globalization and regional trade agreements have placed additional pressures on our food supplies, as they must adhere to national as well as local standards. On the individual level, people have generated a preference for foods based on health, social, and political considerations. Organic foods, once a novelty, have gained an increasing market share as the public has begun to realize the potential health benefits of consuming foods that are pesticide and herbicide free. Fair trade foods have entered the market in response to socially conscious advocates that promote the long-term economic well being of farmers in developing countries or disadvantaged areas. Civic agriculture has responded to the call of local community groups and consumer cooperatives that seek to link food to local production as an alternative to the mass-produced and distributed food chain. Organic foods, fair trade products, and civic agriculture all serve separate demands in the marketplace, each with differing drawbacks and a limited ability to serve the needs of the world's demand for food. Organic foods are a specialty type of farming that has risen in popularity in recent years as a response to the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides that are used in commercial farming. Many of these products have been linked to cancer and a variety of childhood ailments. Controlling weeds and pests in organic farming is accomplished through alternative methods that rely on weed control, instead of killing, and natural pest repellent systems. In addition, under the Federal Organic Food Production Act of 1990 fertilizers are strictly limited and prohibit the use of "fertilizers containing synthetic ingredients or any commercially blended fertilizers containing materials prohibited", such as "phosphorous, lime, potash, or any materials that are inconsistent with the applicable organic certification program" (Federal Organic Food Production Act of 1990). To be labeled as an organic food, it must be grown in accordance with US Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines and certified by the Department. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "More than 40 private organizations and state agencies (certifiers) currently certify organic food, but their standards for growing and labeling organic food may differ. For example, some agencies may permit or prohibit different pesticides or fertilizers in growing organic food" (Organic Farming). The rigid guidelines and lack of standards has made organic foods difficult to market, and added complexity and confusion to the consumer wishing to consume organic foods. The organic foods market has been developing for over fifty years in the US, and while it has experienced significant growth, it is limited in its scope as a source of food. The low prices that are paid in the US for food have come about as a result of large scale and high production farming techniques. These agricultural practices are not conducive to organic methods and they rely on the significant applications of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. In addition, much of our agricultural production goes to animal feed. The millions of acres of corn and soybeans that cover the Midwest could not be organically grown. Organic foods are an excellent product for the home gardener that is concerned about the risks of agricultural chemicals, or the small producer that is serving a niche market. The EPA states that "the industry has grown from experimental garden plots to large farms with surplus products sold under a special organic label. Food manufacturers have developed organic processed products and many retail marketing chains specialize in the sale of "organic" products" (Organic Farming). However, these products are located on specialty shelves in the supermarket, are more expensive, and the selection is limited. This limited selection and higher price will continue to have trouble competing with traditionally grown foods on a mass consumerism basis. While organic foods are a specialty product with a limited opportunity to gain market share, fair trade foods have grown in popularity as Americans have become more socially conscious of the plight of the farmers in the developing world. For centuries, these farmers have been at the mercy of large-scale producers, the weather, and uncertain market conditions. The Fairtrade Foundation works to promote "better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers" (What is Fair Trade). Fair trade is implemented by private organizations and associations that certify that the food suppliers are adhering to fair trade practices. In return, they are permitted to label their food with a seal that guarantees to the consumer that the food meets the fair trade standards. Socially conscious consumers can shop for products that display the certification and in doing so they promote fair trade practices around the world. The fair trade label and fair trade practices benefit society from a number of different aspects. The global economy has made food products available from around the world on a year around basis. This has improved the selection available and has worked to keep costs competitive. Fair trade assures the consumer that the farmers that grow a specific item that is available in our supermarkets will have the opportunity to continue to produce it. This adds stability to the market and allows the small producers in developing countries to make improvements that can further increase production. In addition, the certification and labeling process adds only a marginal amount to the cost of the commodities, and fair trade practices can be applied to a significant number of products that are imported from developing countries. Fair trade further works to bring these developing farmers into the global community where they can become part of the stewardship of global standards and the move towards sustainability. The United Nations defines agricultural sustainability as meeting the "needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". (Our Values). This can apply to agricultural methods, environmental standards, and food safety. The benefits of fair trade, and the small expense incurred, make it a potentially universal concept in the imported foods market. Global sustainability has been shown to benefit society by taking a long-term view of the use of the world's agricultural resources. One of the guiding philosophies that are used to promote fair trade practices is that it cultivates customers for the developed world. Keeping the developed nation's farmers in poverty reduces the potential customer base for technology or US agricultural exports. The Fair Trade Federation notes that "Trade should promote fair compensation, safe and healthy conditions, direct and long-term relationships, transparent business practices, and workplaces free from discrimination and forced child labor. When trade encompasses these practices, the lives of all people and their communities improve" (Our Values). Improving the well being of the poorest people on the planet raises the standard of living for everyone. In addition, these practices can reduce the possibility of future liabilities in the developing world. The issues of future economic debt, health problems, illiteracy, and standard of living can be addressed by utilizing the vehicle of Fair Trade. Improving the conditions in the developing world can promote production, increase supply, and work to keep costs contained, but it is the civic farm and community food systems can bring people closer to their food source and develop a more personal relationship with their food. According to Cornell University, "A community food system is a food system in which food production, processing, distribution and consumption are integrated to enhance the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of a particular place" (A Primer on Community Food Systems). These local food systems can be as small as a neighborhood garden or as large as a full production farm. The concept of civic agriculture and local food systems addresses a number of concerns that people have in regards to their food. It places the production in close proximity to the consumer and the end user has a more personal stake in the product. In addition, it guarantees that food will be available to the producers in the face of uncertain economic and political times. In addition, the growers can customize their production to meet the local growing conditions, preferences, and resources of the local area. Civic agriculture can certainly be a welcome addition to the food supply chain. Local gardens, even on small plots, can generate a considerable amount of nourishment that helps meet a person's dietary needs. In addition, it is readily available during the growing season and can usually be preserved with a minimum amount of effort. Civic gardens can grow specialty products and vegetable varieties that are not available from the mass-produced market. A large-scale civic farm that is designed to feed a small town would also benefit the area economically. Agricultural production at the local level creates "stronger community economies through job creation, and re-circulating financial capital in the community. Such businesses could include food processing, or value-adding processing to expand opportunities for locally produced food to be consumed locally" (A Primer on Community Food Systems). With the correct management and growing methods, local food systems and civic agriculture could contribute a significant amount to the food supply in areas that are suitable for agriculture. No matter how the agricultural system is structured or what method is used for food production, it will be impacted by the supply and price of fossil fuels. Petroleum is a critical component of many agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. The prices of these products are directly tied to the price of oil. As the price of oil escalates, organic farming may become more economically competitive. Another cost that is associated with the cost of food is the cost of transportation. Imported foods from around the world are impacted when the cost of transportation rises. This may put additional pressure on food exporters in developing nations and make the small economic costs of fair trade more relevant. Locally grown produce from civic farms and local food systems will become more cost effective as the cost of transportation continues to rise. Still, the biggest impact that the cost of fossil fuels will have is on the methods used to plant, maintain, and harvest the food supply. The highly mechanized systems required for the large-scale production of agricultural products may become too expensive to compete with more labor intensive methods that operate on a smaller scale. This would benefit the local systems and the small farmers in developing countries that rely on hand labor rather than farm machinery. As the supply of fossil fuels continues to decrease and prices rise, agricultural production methods will change to accommodate the new economic realities. In conclusion, the agricultural methods that have been in existence since man left the hunter gather stage and entered into the cultivation of plants and animals continue to go in and out of fashion based on economics as well as social forces and consumer preferences. While organic farming all but disappeared when farm chemicals were introduced, it has seen a resurgence in popularity due to the health concerns of the consumers. Fair trade practices have been introduced as the world has become more socially conscious in the face of globalization and an increased sense of responsibility for the global community. Neighborhood gardens and civic farms have reappeared as consumers look to have a more personal connection with the foods they eat. These alternative methods each have their benefits and their associated costs. The price of fossil fuels will continue to have an impact on where and how our food is produced. While no one system of food production can currently replace the large scale methods of mass production, they can add a significant amount of foods to the supply system and offer consumers more choice and improved products. Works Cited "A Primer on Community Food Systems: Linking Food, Nutrition and Agriculture." Discovering the Food System. Cornell University. 5 Dec. 2008 . "Federal Organic Food Production Act of 1990." 1 Jan. 2004. US Department of Agriculture. 5 Dec. 2008 . "Organic Farming." Agriculture. 13 Dec. 2007. Environmental Protection Agency. 5 Dec. 2008 . "Our Values." Fair Trade Federation. 2007. Fair Trade Federation. 5 Dec. 2008 . "What is Fair Trade." Fairtrade Foundation. 2008. Fairtrade Foundation. 5 Dec. 2008 . Read More