Problem
For this question, we expect you to draw on the readings and lectures, and share your learnings, opinions, or comments on the topic.
1. Farm Labor: This is a dataset published regularly by the USDA that describes the labor force in agriculture in the US. Open the most recent data set as a PDF and skim through the entire document noting how it's laid out and what kind of data is included. Then pick one area to read more carefully- perhaps you choose to look at the difference in wages in different regions, or the number of farms employed on a certain size of farm. Who do you think uses this data? What can we learn from reading this report? Why do you think the USDA publish this information?
2. Leveling the Fields: Here's another report from our friends at the Union of Concerned Scientists. This is another landmark report that has been widely circulated and discussed within food systems. The historic and current injustices in agriculture that affected Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) populations has become highlighted over the past few years. The mainstream food movement has long been focused only on the food- local, fresh, seasonal, heirloom varieties- and not on the people who grow the food, or who harvest, package, and distribute the food. This report outlines some of the key issues around supporting BIPOC farmers and why it's important for food systems transformation.
3. Food Dive - "6 trends to impact food industry": Food trends change frequently - this article is from 2019, but does a good job of summarizing some key trends that are affecting the food industry like functional foods and consolidation. Packed foods in the grocery store, known as consumer packaged goods (CPG), are a big industry, with lots of new businesses started every year. Maybe you'll go on to start a food business! The consumer trends affect what's available at your local grocery store, and has implications for the whole food system. How do you think the food industry was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?
4. Wilde, Food Policy in the United States: An Introduction, Chapter 5: "Food Manufacturing" (The textbook reading is available from the "ASU Library Reading Lists" menu item located on the course menu.)