by Chas Bonner
By now, most agriculture related people have seen the replacement for the Food Pyramid---the PLATE. In our opinion, this will turn out to be a tremendous boon for agriculture. The new focus is on healthy eating, with more raw foods, fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as meats and dairy products.
The Food Pyramid never gained much traction despite being introduced in 1992 and revised in 2005. The Pyramid was a product of much lobbying and legislative involvement, all of which added confusion and reduced effectiveness. By contrast, today’s PLATE represents a consensus that America must get healthy, and as a result, all interested parties came to the table. The USDA estimates that 2/3 of Americans are overweight, many obese, and obesity will become the next major medical expense for America. Most research indicates that virtually any diseases, including mental, are exacerbated by excess weight.
The new PLATE also happens to be in line with existing food trends, where more and more consumers are looking for locally grown, organic, sustainable, raw, and whatever other moniker might be applied to clean, simple food.
Virtually all organizations associated with agriculture are welcoming the new PLATE, and it is being introduced with great fanfare. Even First Lady Michelle Obama has made healthy food one of her mantras.
We expect the McDonald’s and Burger Kings of the world may be somewhat concerned, but this should increase the demand for sound food choices, without all the additives. Farmers and ranchers will benefit.
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