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Chef Points Out What’s Wrong With The Food Industry In America By Simply Comparing 2 Pics
It seems that the COVID-19 pandemic is not only directly affecting millions worldwide, it’s also exposing major flaws in how governments and policies work. In the US, more than 22 million people have filed for unemployment aid since President Trump declared a national emergency, showing just how severely workers, as well as businesses, were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Although the government issued a financial aid program to help out those struggling, many report that they still haven’t received their checks.
And while some problems are immediate, we can’t overlook the major setbacks that exist in the system. Chef and founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK), José Andrés, recently took to Twitter to share some insights on the food industry in America.
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José Andrés is a chef and founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a non-profit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters
Image credits: David Shankbone
He expressed his thoughts on the current food industry and its flaws in a Twitter thread
Image credits: chefjoseandres
The man used a juxtaposition of two images taken in Idaho and San Antonio to perfectly illustrate how flawed the current system is. One picture showcases piles and piles of potatoes that were discarded by farmers because no one would buy them as the commercial demand decreased drastically following the lockdown. On the other side, however, thousands of cars could be seen lined up in front of the San Antonio food bank. As millions lost their jobs and source of income, many found themselves seeking help from food banks, which, unfortunately, were quickly overwhelmed by so many new applicants.
So how did this happen? How could two such photographs from the same country at the same time exist? That’s where Andrés steps in to explain that the food industry in America is flawed. “It’s because all along the way, we have a food supply chain that we treat as invisible when it’s working…and only notice it when it’s not,” the chef said. He added that the people behind World Central Kitchen are doing all they can to bridge the gap between the farmers and the hungry, however, Andrés also admitted that their efforts are not enough and the government had to step in.
Image credits: chefjoseandres
Image credits: chefjoseandres
Concluding his Twitter thread, the famous chef rallied people to make their voices be heard and encourage their representatives to take action and responsibility:
“Call your elected officials & ask what they are doing to make food part of the solution. Ask what specific legislation they are supporting to increase #SNAP, empower food banks & non profits, involve restaurants, and ensure the govt is buying from farms. Accept nothing less.”
Image credits: chefjoseandres
Image credits: chefjoseandres
Image credits: chefjoseandres
Image credits: chefjoseandres
Image credits: chefjoseandres
Image credits: chefjoseandres
Image credits: chefjoseandres
Here’s how people reacted to the Twitter thread
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Jovita A 4 years ago (edited)
I was about to say that the photo of parked cars, is fake like why he is using images from a Chinese highway or something... As always did the fact check... Was humbled and actually scarred that it's a real picture... https://www.houstonchronicle.com/coronavirus/article/Photos-Vehicles-line-up-before-dawn-for-San-15192877.php#photo-19278203 this article has even more pictures.... Though people do need to understand, that storing, transporting and processing goods require money which farmers not getting.. Like someone was suggesting why farmers don't make cheese instead of dumping milk.. Well, do you realize that making cheese it's a process requiring electricity, storage, people to do it..
Meami 4 years ago
Not only does it take electricity, storage, and man-hours, it takes the right equipment to make the cheese. The other thing that is always interesting to me that people don't understand how many temporary workers we get in this country from Mexico that work in our food supply chain. The numbers of temp visas have dropped dramatically in the last couple of years. You can say that those people are taking jobs away from American citizens but most Americans don't want those jobs. They are brutal and don't pay squat but they are vital to our food supply and economy.
Load More Replies...
Roadkill The Brave 4 years ago
This one is a lot to unpack. This is a prime example of Supply and Demand as well as the Supply Chain and how much the two rely upon each other. Yes, there can be things done about this, but a lot of it is going to be changing policy and company issues. You might look at the mountain of potatoes and ask why not get it to where its needed, but depending on where's it at in the chain depends on if they can do with it. Manufacturing plants have FDA guidelines they have to follow or they can get closed down, especially when it comes to food safty. They even have disposal guidelines for how to get rid of the stuff, 'handing it out for free' isn't on that list. If its from the farmers that's different, but those people just lost a million dollars or way more, they don't have the money to ship it. Who are you going to ask next? Truckers to do it for free? Sure some might, but more likely your answer is going to be no. On top of all of that, there's Monsanto. I'll add more down in the reply.
Roadkill The Brave 4 years ago
Monsanto, if you don't know who they are you need to look them up. You want to talk about the evil of Corporate America, and yell at farmers for destroying crops, you need to turn your eyes to them. Monsanto's gone global now and I really feel for any place where they're at. Monsanto owns the rights to all their seeds, including seeds that are produced from their seeds. Not that 2nd gen seeds from Monsanto crops will grow, they genetically engineer the seeds to only be viable once so they're not 'Heirloom'. If Monsanto wanted to, they could go after farmers for giving away their 'intellectual property', and yes they've done it before more times than I can count. Usually its in reference to farmers keeping a portion of their harvest back to re-sow, not that Monsanto seeds can be re-sown, but you get the picture. Anyway, got on a tangent sorry. Yes, there needs to be changes and back up plans, and I have a feeling that will happen because of everything that's happened since lockdown.
Load More Replies...
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Strange that all those "poor" people suffering in "socialist" countries do not report the same issues. Makes you wonder why....
giovanna 4 years ago
We are and will be facing enormous problems in Italy. But there hasn't been those queues for food.
Load More Replies...
Jovita A 4 years ago (edited)
I was about to say that the photo of parked cars, is fake like why he is using images from a Chinese highway or something... As always did the fact check... Was humbled and actually scarred that it's a real picture... https://www.houstonchronicle.com/coronavirus/article/Photos-Vehicles-line-up-before-dawn-for-San-15192877.php#photo-19278203 this article has even more pictures.... Though people do need to understand, that storing, transporting and processing goods require money which farmers not getting.. Like someone was suggesting why farmers don't make cheese instead of dumping milk.. Well, do you realize that making cheese it's a process requiring electricity, storage, people to do it..
Meami 4 years ago
Not only does it take electricity, storage, and man-hours, it takes the right equipment to make the cheese. The other thing that is always interesting to me that people don't understand how many temporary workers we get in this country from Mexico that work in our food supply chain. The numbers of temp visas have dropped dramatically in the last couple of years. You can say that those people are taking jobs away from American citizens but most Americans don't want those jobs. They are brutal and don't pay squat but they are vital to our food supply and economy.
Load More Replies... Roadkill The Brave 4 years ago
This one is a lot to unpack. This is a prime example of Supply and Demand as well as the Supply Chain and how much the two rely upon each other. Yes, there can be things done about this, but a lot of it is going to be changing policy and company issues. You might look at the mountain of potatoes and ask why not get it to where its needed, but depending on where's it at in the chain depends on if they can do with it. Manufacturing plants have FDA guidelines they have to follow or they can get closed down, especially when it comes to food safty. They even have disposal guidelines for how to get rid of the stuff, 'handing it out for free' isn't on that list. If its from the farmers that's different, but those people just lost a million dollars or way more, they don't have the money to ship it. Who are you going to ask next? Truckers to do it for free? Sure some might, but more likely your answer is going to be no. On top of all of that, there's Monsanto. I'll add more down in the reply.
Roadkill The Brave 4 years ago
Monsanto, if you don't know who they are you need to look them up. You want to talk about the evil of Corporate America, and yell at farmers for destroying crops, you need to turn your eyes to them. Monsanto's gone global now and I really feel for any place where they're at. Monsanto owns the rights to all their seeds, including seeds that are produced from their seeds. Not that 2nd gen seeds from Monsanto crops will grow, they genetically engineer the seeds to only be viable once so they're not 'Heirloom'. If Monsanto wanted to, they could go after farmers for giving away their 'intellectual property', and yes they've done it before more times than I can count. Usually its in reference to farmers keeping a portion of their harvest back to re-sow, not that Monsanto seeds can be re-sown, but you get the picture. Anyway, got on a tangent sorry. Yes, there needs to be changes and back up plans, and I have a feeling that will happen because of everything that's happened since lockdown.
Load More Replies... WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Strange that all those "poor" people suffering in "socialist" countries do not report the same issues. Makes you wonder why....
giovanna 4 years ago
We are and will be facing enormous problems in Italy. But there hasn't been those queues for food.
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