It's been awhile since i've posted anything... and that's a shame. There is so much to be said and before this pandemic erases us all from history i'd like to get my thoughts out there.
Current state of affairs. 4/14/2020; i woke up today with news that millions of eggs, millions of gallons of milk, millions of tons of produce were being destroyed due to this pandemic. I wanted to dig a little deeper into the implications of such things. Restaurants, schools, businesses closed of practically closed across the nation so there is an increased supply and lessened demand. Supply chain is weakened as fewer routes are made with fewer purchases, etc. It is a disaster after all. Affected almost all facets of society. That is a fact.
The question is, what should be done? Should the federal government intervene? What should farmers do? What is ethical? What is humane? These are just a few of the questions that pop into mind when i think of this problem. I mean, no one really wants the government to have so much power and control but if they don't assist everyone will suffer and they'd have to help anyways no?
Regarding the feds, at some point, they'll be subsidizing the farmers and producers anyways so why waste produce and dump it? To credit some farmers, they've given some portion of these abundances to food banks and shelters although apprehensive. I've seen reports that it's also logistically problematic as well, if that's the case couldn't we utlitize the amazing strength of the US Military? Something tells me they're more than qualified to pull triggers and push buttons.
As with all free markets there's a pretty simple equation more demand, higher the prices, less demand, lower prices. In this case, the demand is still there, it's mostly the logistics that pose a problem. For example, farmers selling wholesale to the restaurant market package in much larger containers than for end consumer sales. Changing the packaging runs to focus more on retail sales will create an abundance in supply, that also means lowering prices. Possibly even making it unprofitable to produce on the current scale. If farmers think this is a very temporary crisis, they will hold, even destroying their production to keep market prices stable (and profitable). Where-as with any other industry, such an increased production should surely lower costs to consumers to excite sales.
Americans indulge heavily in socializing, this is reflected in the booming restaurant industry. Clearly, this pandemic is proving Americans eat way less vegetables if it's not prepared for them. Cooking vegetables at home just isn't moving volume like the restaurant industry does. The solution for this, from my humble point of view is not an overnight one but generational. American's love almost anything fast, fried and sweet. The perfect recipe for fast food, not home cooking. Education and practice from an early age is really the only cure but one i feel will be truly hardest to accomplish. When i first came to America in 1995-1996, my cousins in highschool had a class called Home Economics. I couldn't understand it coming from a british education system but i was intrigued and interested in it. I never attended highschool in America so i really dont know what was really taught but as a young guy, i figured that's where the girls would be and they'd teach basics of cooking, health and organization of a home. I might have been deluded but that was my concept of such a class. Perhaps classes like those from historic America could help in future generations especially considering how much more health-conscious the younger generations have gotten.
An interesting approach could be taken even though conservatives will riot at the idea without a doubt. What if the government buys the surplus at a heavily discounted rate and distribute it throughout the country? Give tax breaks to restaurants and other facilities that can refrigerate the surplus and distribute to food banks as needed. This would help out the farmers, get our guys in uniforms involved in our communities, help small businesses and ultimately get food to those in need.
Perhaps my idealistic concepts are just too far from the poli"tricks" involved in doing some of these things, i get it. My idea is to provoke thought towards a solution. Maybe if the right person gets a different perspective...my perspective it can start a debate amongst those who can make a difference.
On that note, i will conclude my ranting thoughts on this topic that seems to be omitted from mainstream news.
Current state of affairs. 4/14/2020; i woke up today with news that millions of eggs, millions of gallons of milk, millions of tons of produce were being destroyed due to this pandemic. I wanted to dig a little deeper into the implications of such things. Restaurants, schools, businesses closed of practically closed across the nation so there is an increased supply and lessened demand. Supply chain is weakened as fewer routes are made with fewer purchases, etc. It is a disaster after all. Affected almost all facets of society. That is a fact.
The question is, what should be done? Should the federal government intervene? What should farmers do? What is ethical? What is humane? These are just a few of the questions that pop into mind when i think of this problem. I mean, no one really wants the government to have so much power and control but if they don't assist everyone will suffer and they'd have to help anyways no?
Regarding the feds, at some point, they'll be subsidizing the farmers and producers anyways so why waste produce and dump it? To credit some farmers, they've given some portion of these abundances to food banks and shelters although apprehensive. I've seen reports that it's also logistically problematic as well, if that's the case couldn't we utlitize the amazing strength of the US Military? Something tells me they're more than qualified to pull triggers and push buttons.
As with all free markets there's a pretty simple equation more demand, higher the prices, less demand, lower prices. In this case, the demand is still there, it's mostly the logistics that pose a problem. For example, farmers selling wholesale to the restaurant market package in much larger containers than for end consumer sales. Changing the packaging runs to focus more on retail sales will create an abundance in supply, that also means lowering prices. Possibly even making it unprofitable to produce on the current scale. If farmers think this is a very temporary crisis, they will hold, even destroying their production to keep market prices stable (and profitable). Where-as with any other industry, such an increased production should surely lower costs to consumers to excite sales.
Americans indulge heavily in socializing, this is reflected in the booming restaurant industry. Clearly, this pandemic is proving Americans eat way less vegetables if it's not prepared for them. Cooking vegetables at home just isn't moving volume like the restaurant industry does. The solution for this, from my humble point of view is not an overnight one but generational. American's love almost anything fast, fried and sweet. The perfect recipe for fast food, not home cooking. Education and practice from an early age is really the only cure but one i feel will be truly hardest to accomplish. When i first came to America in 1995-1996, my cousins in highschool had a class called Home Economics. I couldn't understand it coming from a british education system but i was intrigued and interested in it. I never attended highschool in America so i really dont know what was really taught but as a young guy, i figured that's where the girls would be and they'd teach basics of cooking, health and organization of a home. I might have been deluded but that was my concept of such a class. Perhaps classes like those from historic America could help in future generations especially considering how much more health-conscious the younger generations have gotten.
An interesting approach could be taken even though conservatives will riot at the idea without a doubt. What if the government buys the surplus at a heavily discounted rate and distribute it throughout the country? Give tax breaks to restaurants and other facilities that can refrigerate the surplus and distribute to food banks as needed. This would help out the farmers, get our guys in uniforms involved in our communities, help small businesses and ultimately get food to those in need.
Perhaps my idealistic concepts are just too far from the poli"tricks" involved in doing some of these things, i get it. My idea is to provoke thought towards a solution. Maybe if the right person gets a different perspective...my perspective it can start a debate amongst those who can make a difference.
On that note, i will conclude my ranting thoughts on this topic that seems to be omitted from mainstream news.