Blog 14

From previous readings and classes, how does Zambia food system compare to the development of US industrial food system? How could Zambia's food system be made more sustainable ecologically and economically? Would the Same approach work in the US? Why or why not? 
The case studies in Wisconsin demonstrate the challenges that farms, business, and other organizations face in distribution of food. What did you find to be the most difficult challenge and the most innovative solution in the reading? Can you think of any other challenges that may be faced in local food distribution in SC? What is a solution? 
The Real Food Challenge and the Food Corps both target young people to address problems in the food system, but how does each organization's approach differ from the other? Do you think one is more effective or has a greater impact than the other? Why or why not?

 

Zambia’s food system is similar to that of the United States in that they too have created a surplus of food, namely corn. However in Zambia, unlike in the US, there is a lack of demand for organic foods. I thought it was interesting that in the article it stated that one of the ways Zambia’s food system could be made more sustainable was through the use of churches because of the high degree of education seminary graduates would have. This would allow them to teach others about sustainable agriculture, which would make a strong impact at the community level.The Real Food Challenge seems to differ from Food Corps by focusing on multiple different issues. The three key focuses of Food Corps are knowledge, engagement, and access. I personally think their program may be more efficient because they can really focus their attention and resources to more specific and easily identifiable issues than those of the RFC. In the reading about Wisconsin, I found that the most difficult challenge--which also leads to the most innovative solution--organizations face in the distribution of food was matching supply with demand. Although the demand for local food is considerably higher than the supply, produce is still going to waste in the fields due to weather conditions as well as storage and transportation costs. One of the most innovative solutions to these issues in my opinion was to have the growers and entrepreneurs pool their resources and, by doing so, they limit their risk. Seasonality is one of the challenges local food distribution may face in South Carolina, and I think a solution to this issue could be found through the use of greenhouses and high tunnels that could extend specific growing seasons like we saw used at City Roots.