Assignment 3
1. In the broadest way you can think, considering health, the environment, social factors, economics, and the realities of living in the post-industrial USA, what do you think is the best answer to the “omnivore’s dilemma? From the research you have done in the last few weeks, what do you think Americans should be eating for their meals?
As Will Newman talked in our class, authentic organic farm can only be small; therefore we need more farmers not bigger. That will supply plenty of vegetables and crops. For meat, there needs to be a large decrease in consumption because it takes tremendous resources to raise a healthy cow. If we want so many cows, we will have to give up our own food and space. Cows need a lot of grass and space to stay healthy and it is simply impossible to sustain current number of cows along with humans. Dr. Mel Metzin, the staff veterinarian, said he wouldn’t have a job if cows are given lots of grass and space (Pollan p79). As much as we cannot sustain so many cows, this planet cannot sustain so many people. There needs to be a halt in population increase and stay under control.
Americans should look back their old days and remember what the food was like a hundred years ago; then, compare to the food we eat now and realize how unnatural it is and how disgusting that fact is. I believe that realization automatically leads to the answer: authentic farming.
As Marion Nestle suggests dietary patterns that best promote health derive most energy from plant foods, considerably less from foods of animal origin (meat, dairy, eggs), and even less from foods high in animal fats and sugars (Nestle 6). (Well…, she actually answered it for me. Nothing more to add…) As Japanese, one of the longest-lived populations, I can guarantee that is how my grandparents’ generation ate and lived so long.
2. Can cooperation (as defined by the 7 cooperative principles) succeed as a business model in the United States? Provide evidence to back up your answer.
Cooperation can succeed and fail as much as any businesses can do. Collapse of businesses starts when benefits (not profits) are not shared equally among buyers and sellers as in Adam Smith’s theory. If one gains more than the other, the continuous of exchange will suffer. Cooperation is no exception from this principle. Greed is a strong aspect of human nature and pushes to gain more than others. Just because there are guides to follow (7 principles), it does not mean those principles can erase this human nature. The reason that some companies still survive with collapsing policy is because those companies fool consumers and consumers remain to be fooled. Cooperation can do the same bad unless members carefully work its way out.
The reason I think cooperation can succeed is that the principles it follows include education in the fifth category. Through education, members can learn to share the benefit with the society and maximize well-being of whole. That will be a strong component in business success.
3. What do you think is the future of the natural food industry?
(Hmm, do I even care?) With the word “industry,” I cannot support its growth. As I read in “Omnivore’s dilemma,” there is so much deception toward consumers from this industry. If Americans choose to continue this foolishness, natural food “industry” will keep growing, but if they don’t, this industry simply will vanish.
4. What do you think are People’s strengths in the local marketplace? In comparison to its competitors, how do you think People’s should position itself into the future?
The No.1 strength of People’s is that it is community-owned. Ownership is not bought and sold for the purpose of gaining profit in marginal price. Therefore, changes of owners don’t occur frequently, and their visions and values remain quite stable. Thus, customers, which many times are owners, can trust the store policy and the safety of products. Most of the customers are owners and neighbors of People’s and that strengthen the bond of this community. This bond of community is the greatest strength for People’s.
One of the other strengths is the strong pursuit for sustainability and natural and safe product from local producers. This policy is very powerful to people who have deep consideration to environment, society, and to themselves. No other stores are as strong as People’s about this point.
I think People’s should strive to expand their circle of influence until this country becomes environment-saver from environment-abuser. The power of community is very strong and it just should not stop at SE Portland. Our diet is nothing that can be separated from environment, and truly healthy food can only be born from healthy environment. I hope People’s don’t stop this effort.
As Will Newman talked in our class, authentic organic farm can only be small; therefore we need more farmers not bigger. That will supply plenty of vegetables and crops. For meat, there needs to be a large decrease in consumption because it takes tremendous resources to raise a healthy cow. If we want so many cows, we will have to give up our own food and space. Cows need a lot of grass and space to stay healthy and it is simply impossible to sustain current number of cows along with humans. Dr. Mel Metzin, the staff veterinarian, said he wouldn’t have a job if cows are given lots of grass and space (Pollan p79). As much as we cannot sustain so many cows, this planet cannot sustain so many people. There needs to be a halt in population increase and stay under control.
Americans should look back their old days and remember what the food was like a hundred years ago; then, compare to the food we eat now and realize how unnatural it is and how disgusting that fact is. I believe that realization automatically leads to the answer: authentic farming.
As Marion Nestle suggests dietary patterns that best promote health derive most energy from plant foods, considerably less from foods of animal origin (meat, dairy, eggs), and even less from foods high in animal fats and sugars (Nestle 6). (Well…, she actually answered it for me. Nothing more to add…) As Japanese, one of the longest-lived populations, I can guarantee that is how my grandparents’ generation ate and lived so long.
2. Can cooperation (as defined by the 7 cooperative principles) succeed as a business model in the United States? Provide evidence to back up your answer.
Cooperation can succeed and fail as much as any businesses can do. Collapse of businesses starts when benefits (not profits) are not shared equally among buyers and sellers as in Adam Smith’s theory. If one gains more than the other, the continuous of exchange will suffer. Cooperation is no exception from this principle. Greed is a strong aspect of human nature and pushes to gain more than others. Just because there are guides to follow (7 principles), it does not mean those principles can erase this human nature. The reason that some companies still survive with collapsing policy is because those companies fool consumers and consumers remain to be fooled. Cooperation can do the same bad unless members carefully work its way out.
The reason I think cooperation can succeed is that the principles it follows include education in the fifth category. Through education, members can learn to share the benefit with the society and maximize well-being of whole. That will be a strong component in business success.
3. What do you think is the future of the natural food industry?
(Hmm, do I even care?) With the word “industry,” I cannot support its growth. As I read in “Omnivore’s dilemma,” there is so much deception toward consumers from this industry. If Americans choose to continue this foolishness, natural food “industry” will keep growing, but if they don’t, this industry simply will vanish.
4. What do you think are People’s strengths in the local marketplace? In comparison to its competitors, how do you think People’s should position itself into the future?
The No.1 strength of People’s is that it is community-owned. Ownership is not bought and sold for the purpose of gaining profit in marginal price. Therefore, changes of owners don’t occur frequently, and their visions and values remain quite stable. Thus, customers, which many times are owners, can trust the store policy and the safety of products. Most of the customers are owners and neighbors of People’s and that strengthen the bond of this community. This bond of community is the greatest strength for People’s.
One of the other strengths is the strong pursuit for sustainability and natural and safe product from local producers. This policy is very powerful to people who have deep consideration to environment, society, and to themselves. No other stores are as strong as People’s about this point.
I think People’s should strive to expand their circle of influence until this country becomes environment-saver from environment-abuser. The power of community is very strong and it just should not stop at SE Portland. Our diet is nothing that can be separated from environment, and truly healthy food can only be born from healthy environment. I hope People’s don’t stop this effort.
posted by Winnie at
5:21 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home