Recipe For Failure

With large food companies, such as General Mills, Kellogg, and Nestle, grouping together to announce their commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce water use throughout their supply chains one has to wonder what new measures of applying pressure on farmers and ranchers their actions will take. Several of these major food companies along with others were invited to a sit-down with the President recently to discuss their “commitment” to stopping climate change. Interestingly, no major ag groups were invited to the soirée. Needless to say this smacks of yet more “us versus them” mentality. We’ve reached a point where we have to admit that for whatever reason, nature or man’s influence, the climate the way we’ve always known it is changing. The powers that be on all sides of the arena need to work together to reduce our role in advancing climate change at a faster rate than Mother Nature would normally allow. The challenge of mitigating climate change should be addressed and worked on in partnership with all entities and stakeholders within the food chain. Making demands and developing supply chain requirements without first discussing what is actually doable and practical with the very people who produce the food is a recipe for contention and failure.