Jerry Carlson of Renewable Farming continually writes great articles that you won’t want to miss. His articles are very informative and offer new ways of thinking to solve today’s farming issues. One of his latest articles covered our ‘Show Me the Money’ conference in Ames on March 14th.
Ten big food processors and retailers organize an “Ecosystem Market” movement
“The planned market offers the singular focus of enabling and encouraging farmers and ranchers to adopt and sustain conservation management practices to improve soil health, reduce GHG emissions, and improve related water quality and reduce water use.”
March 18, 2019 — That’s the main description of a new consortium’s intent to put a green face on their food sourcing over the next several years. You can read the PR Newswire feed at this link.
The announcement hints at possible payments to farmers who take part in measures to improve soil health. Hopefully the consortium will expand its goals to include clear-cut efforts to pay premiums for measurable nutritional quality, now that technology is making that more feasible through the food processing chain.
We sense that these food giants have been watching how classic food brands like Heinz, Kraft and Campbell failed to focus enough attention on rising consumer demands for fresh, wholesome foods. Even investment guru Warren Buffet didn’t see how powerful this megatrend is becoming. From reports in the Wall Street Journal:
“An unexpected write-down at Kraft Heinz demonstrates that even Warren Buffett’s long-successful investment philosophy is vulnerable to sudden shifts in consumer taste.”
“When Buffett’s billions enabled the 2015 merger of H.J Heinz Co. and Kraft Foods Group Inc., Buffett described it as “…my kind of transaction, uniting two world-class organizations and delivering shareholder value.” Buffett’s firm, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 27% of Kraft Heinz.”
To read more go HERE.
The March 14th ‘Show Me the Money’ conference was video taped and is available for purchase. If you weren’t able to attend the conference or if you want to review some of the highlights of the conference you can go HERE to order your copy.
