"Economics of Antibiotic Use in Livestock Production"
Stacy Sneeringer et al, USDA

There is a recent trend towards antibiotic-free meat in the US, as companies as large as Perdue, Hormel, and Foster Farms start to incorporate antibiotic-free production practices. While the health of humans and livestock has always been a driving argument behind the shift, there is now a business rationale as well.

Report Summary
​USDA Economic Research Services find no significant economic benefit in using antibiotics for uses other than disease treatment. Overall, eliminating antibiotics resulted in just a 1-3% increase in cost of production, a 1% increase in wholesale prices, and a drop in output of less than 1%.  Furthermore, existing antibiotic-free producers “are predicted to respond to these higher prices by increasing production,” increasing revenues and availability of antibiotic-free meats to consumers.

"Kresge Arts & Culture, Health teams launch food-oriented grant opportunity"
Kresge Foundation

The Kresge Foundation recently launched this initiative that uses food oriented development to address equity and health issues in economically distressed neighborhoods. This aligns with many of the CFFP goals, and creates an opportunity to engage other funders working in our region.   ​

Article Summary
“Throughout history, food has been inextricably tied to social cohesion, health, culture and entrepreneurship,” said David Fukuzawa, managing director of Kresge’s Health Program. “This initiative recognizes both the direct positive impacts of healthy, local food and the overarching role that food can play in neighborhood revitalization.

"Mexican Soda Tax followed by Drop in Sugary Drink Sales"
Anahad O'Connor, New York TImes

​Mexico’s health trends towards increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and other nutritionally-linked diseases is not uncommon in countries rapidly transitioning from agrarian peasantry to industrialized food systems – a transition that goes hand in hand with development and entry into global markets. This study provides a tool for low to middle income countries to potentially offset negative health trends through targeted sales tax, and a tool for communities like ours to reverse existing trends.

Article Summary
One year after implementing a 10% tax on sugary beverages in 2014, Mexico has seen a 12% drop in sugary drink sales and a 4% increase in bottled water purchases. This is the first empirical study suggesting that targeted sales tax may influence behavioral health, and it has gained attention from public health agencies across the globe. As a country with obesity rates as high as 70% and equally concerning rates of type 2 diabetes, this small measure has potential to make a big difference.

Site Link: Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare 

BBFAW presents an example of how evaluation alone has the potential to influence policy at the corporate level. Because animal welfare standards have been called out as a lens for measuring good business, food corporations across the value chain are challenged to improve practices in this area.
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Resource Summary
The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) is the first global measure of animal welfare standards for food businesses. The 2015 evaluation covers issues including confinement, genetic engineering, growth hormones, antibiotics, mutilations, slaughter practices, long distance live transportation, internal policy, accountability, and more. BBFAW proposes to evaluate a range of corporations from production to retail, including Sysco, Dean Foods Co, ConAgra Food Inc, Target, Albertsons, and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

"Bread is Broken"
Ferris Jabr, New York Times

Jones’s work reveals the complex relationships between community, human, economic, and environmental health through food. Human manipulation of traditional grains to increase profit has, in the end, caused damage of biological diversity and individual nutrition on a massive scale.
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Article Summary
​A historical and personal take on the genetic modification of wheat to meet standards for industrially commodified bread. The legacy of industrialized American grain production has resulted in breads that are devoid of origin, story, taste, or nutrients. Simply put, “for the sake of profit and expediency, we forfeited pleasure and health”. Industrialized wheat varieties have attributed to increased rates of gluten intolerance, IBS, and other chronic health conditions. Stephen Jones of The Bread Lab in Mt. Vernon, Washington passionately seeks to revive the pleasure and health of bread by combining studies of advanced genetics and traditional grains.