Although Florida still has a long way to go, we are the one of the few states ahead in the nation for locally grown and caught food products:
- Oranges are the leading citrus fruit grown and exported tomatoes are the second leading produce grown along with grapefruit, limes, tangerines, tangelos, strawberries, avocado, mango, papaya, passion fruit, watermelon, bananas, kumquat, coconut and other tropical fruits.
- Many vegetables grown include cabbage, celery, cucumbers, green peppers, lettuce, potatoes, snap beans, squash and sweet corn
- Florida leads the nation in the production of sugar cane, also included are peanuts and soybeans
- Second to California in the production of greenhouse and nursery products
- Leads in the production of indoor plants
- Beef cattle and milk are Florida's leading livestock products; also included are poultry and egg production
- Florida's fishing industry includes: shrimp, lobster, grouper, clams, mackerel, mullet, swordfish, tuna, oysters, scallops, sharks, and catfish [Source: NSTATE, LLC, 2013]
There are many things that can be done to reach a sustainable future regarding food production that does not rely on non-renewable energy resources such as oil or coal. This section of the EDAP's purpose is to provide ways to achieve non-renewable energy independence in regards to food. To help mitigate the dependence on oil, Florida should further emphasize agriculture as an important part of the economy through providing incentives to local farmers to grow more products, federal/state/local government support on local food system programs, community supported agriculture, organic farms, sustainable agriculture, and promoting renewable resources as the energy used in the food production process.
Go Local & Buy Organic
One of the fastest growing sectors of Florida agriculture is the organic food industry. The number of organic farms is still relatively small, however a push towards going green in the way food is grown and produced will increase the market entry into organic farms.
"While a number of larger organic operations and numerous small farms have entered the market in Florida since 2002, the number of certified organic farming operations in this state remains small at 133. The lack of volume output from certified farms, along with the global import market, puts Florida organic farmers at a disadvantage." (Nguyen, 2008).
Going organic would have a large and positive impact on reducing the dependency on oil to produce food since pesticides and other chemical additives are prohibited during any of the production processes. Recall back in "The Present" portion of this EDAP, a huge amount of oil is used as raw material energy during the manufacturing processes of pesticides and fertilizers.
Benefits of Organic Farming
Benefits of Local Farming
Provide Government Support Programs & Community Outreach
Government programs and policies can have a significant impact on addressing barriers to local food production. These policies and programs that directly support local food purchases can enable growth in the local food market industry. There are a few programs and policies available already that support local food production, but it is only a start. To see a list of programs and initiatives available "Click Here".
These programs available only hit the tip of the iceberg when it comes to financial possibilities and responsibilities of supporting local farmers. Tax incentives should be offered to local farmers and other food production companies for "going green". This would mean removing the dependence on oil during the food production and transportation processes (among all other processes as well), going organic, and/or providing energy to produce the food by a renewable energy resource (solar, wind, thermal, tidal, biofuel, etc).
Transition to Renewable Energy Resources
Renewable energy sources help reduce pollution and dependence on oil. Resources such as wind and solar energy do not create dangerous waste products, do not produce greenhouse gases and are indigenous, secure and freely available. Grassroots efforts among energy conscious consumers have already made strides in the American economy:
Although local and organic farms are ideally the best option to reduce our dependence on oil, not all food products can be grown, caught or raised. For food that requires the use of machinery, factories, etc, replacing their current energy source of oil or coal with a renewable energy source is a good solution.
Food Conservation
Florida occupants should be given the knowledge of food and energy conservation to avoid wasting resources and food. This will help minimize energy consumption and increase the efficiency of energy utilization. Ways to conserve food include:
Go Local & Buy Organic
One of the fastest growing sectors of Florida agriculture is the organic food industry. The number of organic farms is still relatively small, however a push towards going green in the way food is grown and produced will increase the market entry into organic farms.
"While a number of larger organic operations and numerous small farms have entered the market in Florida since 2002, the number of certified organic farming operations in this state remains small at 133. The lack of volume output from certified farms, along with the global import market, puts Florida organic farmers at a disadvantage." (Nguyen, 2008).
Going organic would have a large and positive impact on reducing the dependency on oil to produce food since pesticides and other chemical additives are prohibited during any of the production processes. Recall back in "The Present" portion of this EDAP, a huge amount of oil is used as raw material energy during the manufacturing processes of pesticides and fertilizers.
Benefits of Organic Farming
- Eases environmental pressure on Florida's ecosystems
- Promotes natural food production
- Restrictions of pesticide and herbicide use promotes diverse populations of plants, insects and animals
- Uses less energy
- Produces minimal waste compared to that of conventional farming
Benefits of Local Farming
- Higher and better quality foods
- Products are fresher
- Positive relationships developed between local farmers and consumers
- Ability to request different products
- Availability of unique/specialty products
- Financial security with local farms and consumers due to more affordable prices
Provide Government Support Programs & Community Outreach
Government programs and policies can have a significant impact on addressing barriers to local food production. These policies and programs that directly support local food purchases can enable growth in the local food market industry. There are a few programs and policies available already that support local food production, but it is only a start. To see a list of programs and initiatives available "Click Here".
These programs available only hit the tip of the iceberg when it comes to financial possibilities and responsibilities of supporting local farmers. Tax incentives should be offered to local farmers and other food production companies for "going green". This would mean removing the dependence on oil during the food production and transportation processes (among all other processes as well), going organic, and/or providing energy to produce the food by a renewable energy resource (solar, wind, thermal, tidal, biofuel, etc).
Transition to Renewable Energy Resources
Renewable energy sources help reduce pollution and dependence on oil. Resources such as wind and solar energy do not create dangerous waste products, do not produce greenhouse gases and are indigenous, secure and freely available. Grassroots efforts among energy conscious consumers have already made strides in the American economy:
- About 25% of the adult population have integrated environmental and social values into purchasing and investment decisions
- About 76% of consumers would switch to a company with socially and environmentally responsible products/services, given equal price and quality
Although local and organic farms are ideally the best option to reduce our dependence on oil, not all food products can be grown, caught or raised. For food that requires the use of machinery, factories, etc, replacing their current energy source of oil or coal with a renewable energy source is a good solution.
Food Conservation
Florida occupants should be given the knowledge of food and energy conservation to avoid wasting resources and food. This will help minimize energy consumption and increase the efficiency of energy utilization. Ways to conserve food include:
- Buying only what you need. Going to the store or farmers market weekly allows you to buy in smaller amounts and use the products more efficiently without letting them go to waste. Buying food for the month can cause consumers to over spend and buy more than they need and a lot of the food ends up in the trash.
- Most Americans (in particular) tend to over eat because the portions served to us are twice the size of what we really need. When out at restaurants, automatically put half of the food into a "to-go" box to take home. Not only does this prevent you from overeating which is technically wasting food, but also you will have those leftovers for another meal. Therefore, it is saving the amount of food you consume and buy.
- If food absolutely has to be thrown away, if your county allows you to do so, compost it. This way even if it is not being eaten, it is still being used for another purpose. If you have your own home garden, composted food can be a natural fertilizer if done correctly.
- Consider secondary uses for leftovers: excess bread can become croutons for a salad, leftover fruit can become a dessert topping, vegetable trimmings can help form bases for soups, sauces and stocks. (USEPA, 2013)
- Ensure proper storage of all food products. Shelf-life of food can be increased when stored in proper conditions.
- In large dining halls (college campuses, high schools, hospitals, etc), remove trays. "A 2008 study of 25 college campuses conducted by the food services provider Aramark found that removing trays at dining halls results in as much as 25 to 30 percent less wasted food. Discourage customers from wasting food by going tray-less or by switching to smaller trays." (USEPA, 2013)