Re: get big or get out
John Fawcett-Long (jfawcett@eskimo.com)
Sat, 22 Aug 1998 11:05:04 -0700
I agree with the previous posts that increased concentration and consolidation in the
food system is reaching disastrous proportions. This is not just a rural agriculture
production problem, but we see concentration happening with food coops, food brokers,
retailers, processors, input suppliers, etc., rural and urban alike. Many economists
argue that this is just a matter of efficiency. Yet others have shown that
communities thrive better with more farmers involved in production (Goldschmidt). I
wonder at times whether the sustainability movement gets this. It seems often willing
to ignore this type of economic issue, not just the economic viability of an
individual farm or business, but the economic and community health of the structure of
agriculture and of the food system. USDA's Small Farm Commission addressed these
issues, but how can the rest of us make a concerted and strategic attempt to address
this. As most of us have limited resources to address these issues, what deserves the
most attention in regard to trying to save independent agriculture and independents in
the food system, policy, direct marketing or local production initiatives, promoting
sustainable production, something else?
John Fawcett-Long
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