THE DROUGHT AND YOU.
We're hearing a lot in the news lately about the price of food: because of low soybean and corn yields this year, the price of food is going to rise. But it's not actually. Cheap, processed food is definitely going to start costing more––most of it being made with corn, corn syrup, and soybeans––which it should. But you, our dear CSA shareholders, other farmer's market supporters, and grass-fed meat buyers, will likely not have to spend an extra penny on your food. The drought hurt us and our garden, most definitely, but it did not devastate our supply. We have food and will continue to have food and your price will not change. In fact, with rising prices in the supermarket and fast food restaurants, the greatest effect supporters of small farms will see is probably more value in the food they already buy. Without changing anything, in comparison to prices in supermarkets, you will be getting an even better deal on better food than you already do! People often have a hard time justifying the price of local meat and produce, but if the local food is not much more expensive than the imported stuff you find in supermarkets––which I just heard a reporter on NPR say the price of corn-fed beef and lamb could rise as much as 5%––then perhaps more people will begin to transition over. Just a thought, but a pleasant, promising silver lining to this year's harsh (still ongoing for many) drought.- Jesse.