Belgium is comparable to maybe New York State food wise - which has local farms, fishing, urban - or maybe Conneticut. The east coast states have the majority of the local farms and orchards.
The middle states don't. They are farm states but their crops are for fuel (corn =ethanol) and food for livestock and cattle.
In Pennsylvania - which does have local farms but a high rate of unemployment, the farmers markets are pricey, fruit isn't that fresh, and the poverty level in some areas is astonishing. For many children - school is where they get their meals. They don't get anything at home. And anything preferable to nothing. People rely on fast food and cheap processed foods.
Each state in the US is different, with completely different needs and guidelines. Trying to tackle the US problem is a bit like Jamie Oliver tackling all of Europe. It's fascinating to watch...but it is ambitious in scope.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2010-03-28 11:39 pm (UTC)The middle states don't. They are farm states but their crops are for fuel (corn =ethanol) and food for livestock and cattle.
In Pennsylvania - which does have local farms but a high rate of unemployment, the farmers markets are pricey, fruit isn't that fresh, and the poverty level in some areas is astonishing. For many children - school is where they get their meals.
They don't get anything at home. And anything preferable to nothing.
People rely on fast food and cheap processed foods.
Each state in the US is different, with completely different needs and guidelines. Trying to tackle the US problem is a bit like Jamie Oliver tackling all of Europe. It's fascinating to watch...but it is ambitious in scope.