Jen Mayer

Externalities

thank you Michael Pollan

What are externalities in regards to food production?

Externalities are external effects, often unforeseen or unintended, that accompany economic transactions. These may be positive or negative. In terms of food production, specifically the production of meat, what we pay for food at the supermarket does not reflect it’s true cost.

For one, the United State’s agricultural subsidy program encourages large farms to overproduce supply. These large farms are able to offer their food at a much lower cost than non subsidized farms. This is why cheap food (usually constructed of corn and high fructose corn syrup) is so cheap on the shelves. In theory, consumers have already paid for part of this food with their tax dollars. So this is the “it appears cheaper than it really is effect.”

Other externalities of industrial food production include:

1. soil pollution- from petroleum based fertilizers
2. water pollution- from excess animal manure
3. air pollution
4. use of fossil fuels
5. food born illness
6. antibiotic resistance in humans- due to high use of antibiotics in meat, egg and dairy production
7. respiratory illness- for workers and animals
8. overweight & obesity (still debated)
9. animal welfare issues
10. loss of wildlife habitat
11. loss of rural communities- due to large farms driving out smaller ones
12. foreign economics- because of our subsidy program

What are some alternatives to big Ag and industrial agriculture? Without being too simplistic and realizing there are few easy answers, some solutions include organic and/or sustainable farming practices and supporting diversified farms in your local economy.

Check out local food purveyors for Boulder, CO on the Slow Food website.

Check out the Low Carbon Diet