The long anticipated New York: Food Dialogues event starts tomorrow, November 15. Today, more than ever, consumers are asking tough questions about how food is grown and raised, and USFRA is committed to getting consumers the answers they rightly deserve.
Each day millions of consumers are searching online about their food – is it safe? How was it raised? How was it grown? Does it have hormones?
This week, USFRA releases FoodSource, giving consumers the opportunity to learn more about how food is grown and raised by compiling information from third party experts – including researchers and scientists at leading universities – into one easy-to-navigate website.
The site currently features nine topics related to food production, all aggregated in one online destination for the first time. These topics include: antibiotic use in farm animals, biotechnology in seeds, hormone use in farm animals, pesticide use, water quality, farm size and ownership, available food choices, food safety and animal care.
USFRA’s FoodSource, available at www.fooddialogues.com/foodsource, is a one-stop, online destination for information on topics that are often questioned by consumers and influencers. Likewise, the site allows consumers to submit questions to get information on additional topics. And above all FoodSource provides consumers with real information to real questions and concerns – while providing farmers and ranchers a voice.
Consumers these days are asking important questions about their food and a whole gamut of people seem to be answering them, or at least trying to. But in all the noise out there about production methods, sustainable practices and animal welfare, an important voice is missing from the conversation – the voice of those who grow and raise our food. The questions might be tough, but they deserve answers – answers from the experts. And if the experts aren’t answering them, who is?
By George Motz
Unlike stars in Hollywood, “food” may not have an agent, but it has definitely reached celebrity status across America. From documentary films to reality culinary challenges to stand-‘n-stir TV shows, the entertainment industry has created a giant stage that brings attention to how and where our food is grown, raised and processed, ultimately making its way to our tables.
Over the past decade, Americans have been more inspired to think about, care about and talk about where the food we eat comes from. And the food curiosity appetite continues to grow. We should applaud Hollywood and the media for playing a critical role in this inspiration.
There was a time when everyone in America was involved in farming. And even when a person moved away to the city or suburbs, they still had a deep understanding for the people and the lifestyle they once knew on the farm.
Most of the general population is now three generations removed from the farm. Many consumers feel disconnected from what happens on the farm or ranch – and many fear the technologies and innovations that farmers have adopted to keep improving our food system. In reality, more consumers get their information on how food is produced from movies, television and popular culture than from farmers and ranchers themselves. So how did we get to a place where consumers learn more about food from Hollywood than from the people growing and raising it? And how did celebrities become experts in our society on food more so than farmers and ranchers?
Sometimes less is more. If we want broad support for effective and efficient conservation programs on working agricultural lands, we need fewer programs. Having a plethora of programs dilutes both the support for and efficiency of individual programs.
Panel examines how all types of farming play an important role in food production
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance continues to move the dialogue forward between key influencers, consumers, farmers and ranchers, answering questions and bringing to light how food is grown and raised. On June 20-21, 2012, farmers and ranchers will head to Los Angeles – the entertainment capital of the world – for the second Food Dialogues event. Four separate discussions – held over two days – will bring together entertainment movers and shakers, chefs, academics, large restaurant operators, journalists, local leaders, farmers and ranchers for an in-depth conversation about food.
First of four discussions will focus on the portrayal of food and agriculture in popular culture
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance continues to move the dialogue forward between farmers and ranchers and key influencers and consumers, answering questions and bringing to light how food is grown and raised. On June 20-21, 2012, farmers and ranchers head to Los Angeles – the entertainment capital of the world – for the second Food Dialogues event. Four separate discussions – held over two days – will bring together entertainment movers and shakers, chefs, academics, large restaurant operators, journalists, local leaders, farmers and ranchers for an in-depth conversation about food.
Crystal Cattle shares some of her takeaways from the Tomorrow’s Top Producer Conference hosted by Farm Journal. Take a look at some interesting stats from the meeting.
Want to read more? Visit her blog at www.crystalcattle.blogspot.com
The recent editorial “Feeding the Future” in the Washington Post clearly articulated a major challenge facing us and the future of food while tackling the complicated issue of using certain agricultural techniques as a viable solution. When it comes to their food, consumers are rightfully passionate and they want to know more information about where it comes from and how it was grown or raised. With so much emotion attached to the food we consume, many Americans may adopt a particular stance for or against an issue that may not reflect all of the information or realities of farming and ranching. Many of these food challenges – and the potential solutions - are not black and white; they are incredibly complex and depend upon various companies across the food spectrum working together.
Consumers continue to have important questions and concerns about their food. They want to know “Is the food we’re eating healthy long-term?” and “Is the planet able to sustain the amount of food we’re producing?”. They also want to be sure our farmers and ranchers are feeding their own families the same food they’re growing and raising for Americans.
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) kicked off The Food Dialogues with the Town Hall in September, and just as consumers are committed to continue asking complex questions about their food, our farmers and ranchers are equally committed to continue listening and addressing their concerns from their own personal perspective and experience. While the dialogue began with our Town Hall, we know open and honest conversations should be ongoing.
For farmers and ranchers, The Food Dialogues town halls (September 22, 2011) were an important first step in listening and answering questions about food production. But they were only the beginning. Much more work needs to be done.
For U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) it was the beginning of a long-term commitment to helping consumers understand how their food is grown and raised. It was an acknowledgement of the need to find common ground among diverse voices.
This was originally entitled “Isn’t it time we pull our heads out?” A close runner-up was “Your stubborness and independence may work on the farm – and put you out of business.
On September 22, we’re kicking off a conversation with Americans about how we grow and raise our food. Streamed live from Washington D.C.; New York; Fair Oaks, Indiana; and Davis, California, we’ve invited voices and viewpoints from across the food spectrum to share their opinions. Farmers, ranchers, consumers, students, retailers, media and leaders in business, food and food service will all be welcome to the table.
DECATUR, Ill.-The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance(USFRA) today announced at the Farm Progress Show that Monsanto is joining its movement to answer Americans’ questions about how their food is raised. USFRA is a coalition of more than 50 national, regional and state agricultural groups and their partners, committed to continuously improving how they grow and raise food that provides healthy choices for people everywhere
To: Financial Times Editorial Staff
In response to the August 17 article “Agribusiness battles claims of abuse and unhealthy food,” the United States Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) would like to clarify the aims of our organization and our outreach initiative.
Guess who’s coming to dinner?
About 310 million people, looking for three squares a day, 365 days a year. Nearly a billion meals per day. And that´s just in the United States.
How do you feed so many people, year in, year out, providing them the quality and nutrition they need and the consistent availability they’ve come to expect, no matter where they live?
One of our sessions at the Ag Media Summit is titled, “Of course our food is safe,” says modern ag – But is anybody listening? The presentation was made by leadership members of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance. The Chairman is Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau Federation.
President Barack Obama and top Congressional leaders are scheduled to meet again today to discuss a deficit reduction deal, after weekend talks failed to narrow the differences over the size and scope of the package. The president will also hold a news conference at 11 a.m. ET Monday to discuss the status of the debt talks.
The 40-plus ag organizations that make up the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) begin a collective conversation with the public this week to strengthen the image of agriculture and build trust in today’s agricultural best production practices. USFRA Chairman Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, explains why the effort is needed, how much it will cost and, most importantly, how the Alliance will measure success on this week’s Open Mic.
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – The new U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) moved a giant step forward Thursday in its drive to deliver its pro-production-agriculture message to the American public. Naming PR firm Ketchum as its primary communications agency, USFRA calls the choice “the next strategic step driving the USFRA mission to strengthen the image of agriculture and enhance public trust in today’s best production practices.”
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – The new U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) moved a giant step forward Thursday in its drive to deliver its pro-production-agriculture message to the American public. Naming PR firm Ketchum as its primary communications agency, USFRA calls the choice “the next strategic step driving the USFRA mission to strengthen the image of agriculture and enhance public trust in today’s best production practices.”
Congratulations to the 2011 National Ag Day Essay Contest Winners!
Two major agricultural companies have joined USFRA in support of the farmers and ranchers representing almost all the major U.S. agricultural commodities.
Save the Date!
AgWired’s Chuck Zimmerman got an update on how things are going with the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance from General Manager Hugh Whaley during American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting.
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) continues to establish itself and build momentum with selection of a general contractor.
The Alliance, currently composed of 23 of the nation’s foremost farmer- and rancher-led agricultural organizations, selected Drake & Company (DrakeCo) to provide association management services.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Today’s agriculture continues to be attacked by a number of different groups. Unfortunately, as the majority of the U.S. public has become further and further removed from the farm, they tend to believe the groups attacking agriculture, according to the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). This new alliance is comprised of most of the leading national farmer- and rancher-led agricultural organizations.