The document discusses issues related to large corporations dominating the organic food industry in the United States. It notes that while the organic food market is now a $7.7 billion business, many consumers envision organic foods coming from small, local farms rather than large corporations. However, grocery stores are dominated by large companies that have acquired or created organic brands. The document raises concerns that large organic producers may bring the same problems as conventional agriculture, such as energy-intensive production and long-distance transportation of foods. It also questions whether organic labels truly indicate healthy and sustainable practices when large companies are involved.

13. Product name and manufacturer
Where was it grown?
Does it have any certified labels or does it
state “sustainable or health” claims?
Does the label provide information about
the farmer or farming practices?
Are the ingredients listed?
Are there any ingredients that stand out or
raise a red flag?

16. Could a factory farm be organic?
Was an organic cow entitled to
dine on pasture?
Do food additives and synthetic
chemicals have a place in organic
processed food?

17. Now a $7.7 billion business – dominated by large
corporations (hence marketing/labeling schemes)
Consumers of organic food imagine their carrots and
soy milk coming from small, local farms
Grocery stores aren’t farmer’s markets
Worry that new megaproducers
bring with them the same old problems
of conventional agriculture =
 Energy-intensive production methods
 Long-distance food transportation
 Weaken organic standards

18. Availability has mushroomed – fresh produce, milk,
eggs, cereal, frozen food, and junk food
Gerber’s, Heinz, Dole, ConAgra, ADM… all created or
acquired organic brands.
Cascadian Farm Organic Frozen Dinners – still have
“natural” chicken flavors, xanthan gum, soy lecithin…
many “organic” additives – HEALTHY?
 A subsidiary of General Mills (3rd largest food
conglomerate in North America)
 General Mills “PR Farm”

19. Horizon Organic Milk – Colorado company = $127
million (AKA the Microsoft of organic milk)
controlling 70 percent of the retail market
 Ultrapasturized milk – high heat that “kills the milk”
including enzymes and vitamins so it can travel long
distance
 Factory Farms in the west = organic CAFOs eating
certified organic grain

25. • USDA regulations allow food products that contain 95100% certified organic ingredients
• Prohibit chemical fertilizers, synthetic substances,
irradiation, sewer sludge or GMOs in production
• Prohibit antibiotic and synthetic hormone use in
organic meat and poultry
• Require 100% organic feed for
organic livestock
• Labeled “100% organic,” “organic,”
or just “made with organic
ingredients,” non-organic
ingredients cannot be produced
from GMOs

31. 1). What is the U.S. Farm Bill?
A. A guidebook for effective farming in the U.S.
B. The federal government's primary legislation that
addresses both domestic and international
policies on agriculture and food.
C. A bill that allows the federal government to
investigate U.S. farms without a warrant in order
to ensure food safety.
D. A federal government policy that promotes good
health by providing a tax subsidy for buying
produce in farmers’ markets.

32. Answer:
B - The Farm Bill is passed every five
years by Congress and dictates laws
and affairs under the jurisdiction of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

33. 2). True or False:
“The Farm Bill only impacts U.S.
producers & consumers.”

34. Answer:
False -While the Farm Bill dictates
domestic rules and regulations, many
of its policies have international
implications that impact small-scale
farmers across the globe.

35. 3). What issues are regulated by the Farm
Bill?
A. Subsidies to encourage American farmers to
grow more corn
B. Tax credits for ethanol
C. Regulations for organic agriculture
D. Humanitarian food aid
E. A and C
F. All of the above

36. Answer:
F - All of the above.

37. 4). For every dollar you spend on
groceries, how much does a farmer
get?
A.
B.
C.
D.
$0.91
$0.66
$0.16
$0.36

38. Answer:
C - $0.16 cents for every dollar.
84.2 cents pays for food marketing, while just
15.8 cents is spent on the raw farm
commodities themselves. "Food marketing”
includes transportation, processing, and
distribution. In other words, we spend five
times as much on getting our food from farm
to table as we do on actually growing it.

39. 5). Peaches, bell peppers, strawberries, pears,
spinach, and potatoes are among the twelve
fruits and vegetables distinguished on a list by
the Environmental Working Group as what?
A. Grown with unsustainable methods
B. Mostly imported from abroad
C. Most often contaminated by pesticides
D. Often genetically modified

40. Answer:
C - Most often contaminated by
pesticides along with apples, celery,
nectarines, cherries, lettuce and grapes.

41. 6). When you go for your morning cup of
coffee, choosing a brand with which of the
following certifications can help small
farmers earn a higher share of the profit:
A. USDA Organic
B. Fair Trade
C. Food Alliance
D. Rainforest Alliance

42. Answer:
B - Fair Trade. Fair trade certification
ensures that farmers receive a minimum set
price, workers receive fair wages, and
growers follow sound environmental
practices.

43. Comprehensive piece of
legislation
Written by the Agriculture
Committees
Reauthorized every 5-7 years
Next reauthorization up in 2013
(2012 legislation extension)

44. How food is grown
What food is grown
Who grows it
Our diets and public health
Well-being of farmers and
farm workers
Rural communities
Environment and natural
resources

47. 2008 Farm Bill Titles
Title I
Title II
Title III
Title IV
Title V
Title VI
Title VII
Title VIII
Title IX
Title X
Title XI
Title XII
Title XIII
Title XIV
Title XV
Commodity Programs
Conservation
Trade
Nutrition
Credit
Rural Development
Research
Forestry
Bio Fuels and Ethanol
Horticulture and Organic Agriculture
Livestock
Crop Insurance and Disaster Assistance
Commodity Futures
Miscellaneous
Trade and Tax Provisions
5 Year Budget
$41.6 billion
$24.1 billion
$1.9 billion
$188.9 billion
$1.4 billion
$200 million
$300 million
$40 million
$600 million
$400 million
$1 million
$21.9 billion
no cost
$6.4 billion
$3.8 billion

48. Where does all the $ go?

50. But farm bill
spending doesn’t
reflect these
recommendations.

51. $33.1 billion
spent on
commodity crops
from 2008 - 2010
corn
soybeans
cotton
rice
wheat

52. $4.3 billion
spent on
specialty crops from
2008 - 2010
fruits
nuts
vegetables

53. The Price of Fruits & Vegetables
Continues to go UP!

56. What do you think needs to
CHANGE in the new FARM
BILL?

57. 1. Fair Farm Bill: For YOU
• Better Choices! Breaking up the agribusiness
monopolies will bring a more vibrant marketplace.
• Increased Access! More families will have easy
access to healthy foods they can afford.
• Stronger Local Infrastructure! Reversing the
consolidation in the food system would allow for
more local businesses.

58. 2. Fair Farm Bill: For Farmers
• A Level Playing Field! A fair marketplace for small
farmers cannot exist without breaking up the
agribusiness monopolies.
• Fair Markets! Farm pricing and contract policies can
ensure that ALL producers receive
– enough from their sales
– services to provide
a fair return.

59. 3. Fair Farm Bill: For the
Environment
• Environmental Stewardship! Conservation
programs can improve biodiversity, minimize
pollution, and conserve essential resources.
• Sustainable Farming! Independent farmers will
receive support to help them shift to more diversified
operations.