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AHS Slides_Matt Metzgar

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Ancestral Health Society
Ancestral Health Society

This document proposes developing a Sustainable Food Index to evaluate different foods and food production systems based on principles of sustainability. It discusses 10 proposed principles for sustainable food production and consumption modeled after hunter-gatherer practices, including preferences for indigenous, wild, organic, local, and seasonal whole foods. An example application to Driscoll's organic raspberries assigns a score out of 10 based on how well the food aligns with each principle. While providing a framework, the index approach also raises questions around definitions, composite foods, transportation impacts, and economic and population considerations.

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Sustainability of Paleolithic Diets: Development of A Sustainable Food IndexMatt Metzgar, PhDUniversity of North Carolina Charlotte
The Rise of AgricultureHumans existed as hunter-gatherers for millions of yearsConsumed a wild diet of seafood, meat, fruits, vegetables, and nutsThe advent of agriculture approximately 10,000 years ago led to increased food supply and a population explosionWhat type of food production systems are sustainable in the long run?2
DefinitionsAgriculture: The science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products.Externality: A side effect or consequence of an industrial or commercial activity that affects other parties without this being reflected in the cost of the goods or services involved, such as the pollination of surrounding crops by bees kept for honey.3
Agriculture: Negative ExternalitiesAgriculture creates damage to the environment and human health via:Water pollution from pesticides, nitrate, etc.Air pollution from methane, ammonia, etc.Soil damage from erosion and carbon dioxide lossesLoss of biodiversity and wildlifeDamage to human health from antibiotic resistance, viral outbreaks, etc.Pretty et al 2001 estimated the total negative externalities from U.S. agriculture to be $3.8 billion4
Economic Approach to ExternalitiesPrivate costs of production are different than social costsSocial costs = private costs + external costsExternal costs (externalities) include negatives such as pollutionPolicy goal: get parties to “internalize the externality”, that is, include all costs when producing a good or serviceSet social marginal benefit = social marginal cost to determine socially optimal level of production5
Pollution and the social optimum6Price ofGoodEquilibriumExternalCost OptimumSocial cost (private costand external cost)QMARKETQOPTIMUMSupply(private cost)0Quantity of GoodDemand(private value)In the presence of a negative externality, such as pollution, the social cost of the good exceeds the private cost. The optimal quantity, QOPTIMUM, is therefore smaller than the equilibrium quantity, QMARKET.6
Issues With Externalities Dollar value of some items, such as biodiversity for example, is unknown or is difficult to calculateCosts and benefits to future generations should be included as wellTechnically, it is present value of marginal costs = present value of marginal benefitsThis leads to further complications such as choosing a discount rate and time horizonDewan (2008) suggests using a sustainability index instead of a cost-benefit analysis for long-run sustainability7
Sustainable Food IndexFocus on principles of sustainable food production and consumption rather than trying to calculate exact damagesModel background: hunter-gatherer foraging and consumption patterns were mostly sustainable for millions of yearsCreate a simple index that could have real-world applicationA “Sustainable Food Index” could help producers and consumers make better choices and avoid negative externalities8
Principles of Sustainable FoodProduction & Consumption9
Principle #1: Indigenous FoodsProduce foods that are indigenous to a geographical areaExample: Blueberries are indigenous to the United StatesNegative externalities created when principle is violated: non-native plants may create more soil erosion and may require chemical treatments to grow10
Principle #2: Wild FoodsHarvest foods that are wild instead of farmedExample: Wild apples from the forest or wild gameNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Farmed foods can require clear-cutting and loss of biodiversity. “Uni” crops often create the need for chemical pest control. Farmed foods have lower antioxidant and nutrient value than wild foods.11
Principle #3: Organic FoodsConsume organic foodsExample: Organic fruits, vegetables, and meatsNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Pesticide use causes damage to water systems and to human health.12
Principle #4: In-Season FoodsConsume foods that are grown in-seasonExample: Seasonal fruitsNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Use of fossil fuels (and the associated pollution) to create environments for foods to grow out of season.13
Principle #5: Local FoodsConsume local foodsExample: Foods from a garden or a local farmers marketNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Pollution from cargo ships and trucks to transport food.14
Principle #6: Whole FoodsConsume whole “one-ingredient” foodsExample: apples, carrots, chicken, etc.Negative externalities created when principle is violated: Damage to human health from processed foods.15
Principle #7: Fresh FoodsConsume fresh foodsExample: fresh fruits and vegetablesNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Damage to human health from preservatives or fossil fuel-related pollution from refrigerating food.16
Principle #8: Properly Nourished FoodsConsume foods that were nourished in a sustainable wayExample: grass-fed beef or fruits and vegetables grown without fertilizerNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Damage to human health from fertilizersPollution from the production and transport of fossil fuel fertilizersDamage to the environment from creation and transport of livestock feed17
Principle #9: Genetically-Compatible/Paleo Foods Consume foods that are consistent with our ancestral heritageExample: Seafood, meat, fruits, vegetables, and nutsNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Damage to human health from grains or dairy foods.18
Principle #10: Foods With Recyclable PackagingPurchase foods with recyclable packagingExample: Any food in recyclable packagingNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Damage to human health and the environment from landfills.19
Sustainable Food IndexSimple ten point index to gauge the sustainability of a foodA food could score one point for meeting each principleEasy way to rank different foods20
Sustainable Food Index21
An Example: Driscoll’s Organic Raspberries22
Organic RaspberriesIndigenous Food – Yes, American red raspberries are indigenous to North AmericaWild Food – No, grown on family farmsOrganic Food – YesIn-Season Food – Yes, according to the availability chart Local Food – No, transported from California23
Organic RaspberriesWhole Food – YesFresh Food – Yes, if consumed fairly quicklyProperly Nourished Food – Assume Yes, Driscoll website notes “natural growing methods”Paleo Food – YesRecyclable Packaging – Yes, recyclable plastic24
Sustainable Food Index – Organic Raspberries25
Index IssuesHow do you rate foods with multiple ingredients?Could focus on primary ingredient or average scores for each ingredientHow is “local” defined?A mileage ring should be determined, e.g., 30 miles.How does “in-season” apply to animal foods?Beef is generally available all-year; other game is seasonalHow is fresh defined?26
Other Index IssuesCould a food scoring higher on the index actually be causing more external damage?Yes. For example, a long transit may create more damage and pollution than other parts of the index.Would the Paleo principle in the index be accepted into the mainstream?27
Economic IssuesSustainable is often more expensiveCompanies may pursue the least costly externalities to eliminateCould/should the index be enforced?Health care cost are being paid by taxpayers on the back end anyways28
Ultimate QuestionsCan the world’s population be sustained on Paleolithic food?Where do you put all the people?“Paleo 2.0” version of food production29
Thank youwww.mattmetzgar.comMatt Metzgar, PhDUniversity of North Carolina Charlottemmetzgar@uncc.edu30

More Related Content

AHS Slides_Matt Metzgar

  • 1. Sustainability of Paleolithic Diets: Development of A Sustainable Food IndexMatt Metzgar, PhDUniversity of North Carolina Charlotte
  • 2. The Rise of AgricultureHumans existed as hunter-gatherers for millions of yearsConsumed a wild diet of seafood, meat, fruits, vegetables, and nutsThe advent of agriculture approximately 10,000 years ago led to increased food supply and a population explosionWhat type of food production systems are sustainable in the long run?2
  • 3. DefinitionsAgriculture: The science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products.Externality: A side effect or consequence of an industrial or commercial activity that affects other parties without this being reflected in the cost of the goods or services involved, such as the pollination of surrounding crops by bees kept for honey.3
  • 4. Agriculture: Negative ExternalitiesAgriculture creates damage to the environment and human health via:Water pollution from pesticides, nitrate, etc.Air pollution from methane, ammonia, etc.Soil damage from erosion and carbon dioxide lossesLoss of biodiversity and wildlifeDamage to human health from antibiotic resistance, viral outbreaks, etc.Pretty et al 2001 estimated the total negative externalities from U.S. agriculture to be $3.8 billion4
  • 5. Economic Approach to ExternalitiesPrivate costs of production are different than social costsSocial costs = private costs + external costsExternal costs (externalities) include negatives such as pollutionPolicy goal: get parties to “internalize the externality”, that is, include all costs when producing a good or serviceSet social marginal benefit = social marginal cost to determine socially optimal level of production5
  • 6. Pollution and the social optimum6Price ofGoodEquilibriumExternalCost OptimumSocial cost (private costand external cost)QMARKETQOPTIMUMSupply(private cost)0Quantity of GoodDemand(private value)In the presence of a negative externality, such as pollution, the social cost of the good exceeds the private cost. The optimal quantity, QOPTIMUM, is therefore smaller than the equilibrium quantity, QMARKET.6
  • 7. Issues With Externalities Dollar value of some items, such as biodiversity for example, is unknown or is difficult to calculateCosts and benefits to future generations should be included as wellTechnically, it is present value of marginal costs = present value of marginal benefitsThis leads to further complications such as choosing a discount rate and time horizonDewan (2008) suggests using a sustainability index instead of a cost-benefit analysis for long-run sustainability7
  • 8. Sustainable Food IndexFocus on principles of sustainable food production and consumption rather than trying to calculate exact damagesModel background: hunter-gatherer foraging and consumption patterns were mostly sustainable for millions of yearsCreate a simple index that could have real-world applicationA “Sustainable Food Index” could help producers and consumers make better choices and avoid negative externalities8
  • 9. Principles of Sustainable FoodProduction & Consumption9
  • 10. Principle #1: Indigenous FoodsProduce foods that are indigenous to a geographical areaExample: Blueberries are indigenous to the United StatesNegative externalities created when principle is violated: non-native plants may create more soil erosion and may require chemical treatments to grow10
  • 11. Principle #2: Wild FoodsHarvest foods that are wild instead of farmedExample: Wild apples from the forest or wild gameNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Farmed foods can require clear-cutting and loss of biodiversity. “Uni” crops often create the need for chemical pest control. Farmed foods have lower antioxidant and nutrient value than wild foods.11
  • 12. Principle #3: Organic FoodsConsume organic foodsExample: Organic fruits, vegetables, and meatsNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Pesticide use causes damage to water systems and to human health.12
  • 13. Principle #4: In-Season FoodsConsume foods that are grown in-seasonExample: Seasonal fruitsNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Use of fossil fuels (and the associated pollution) to create environments for foods to grow out of season.13
  • 14. Principle #5: Local FoodsConsume local foodsExample: Foods from a garden or a local farmers marketNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Pollution from cargo ships and trucks to transport food.14
  • 15. Principle #6: Whole FoodsConsume whole “one-ingredient” foodsExample: apples, carrots, chicken, etc.Negative externalities created when principle is violated: Damage to human health from processed foods.15
  • 16. Principle #7: Fresh FoodsConsume fresh foodsExample: fresh fruits and vegetablesNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Damage to human health from preservatives or fossil fuel-related pollution from refrigerating food.16
  • 17. Principle #8: Properly Nourished FoodsConsume foods that were nourished in a sustainable wayExample: grass-fed beef or fruits and vegetables grown without fertilizerNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Damage to human health from fertilizersPollution from the production and transport of fossil fuel fertilizersDamage to the environment from creation and transport of livestock feed17
  • 18. Principle #9: Genetically-Compatible/Paleo Foods Consume foods that are consistent with our ancestral heritageExample: Seafood, meat, fruits, vegetables, and nutsNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Damage to human health from grains or dairy foods.18
  • 19. Principle #10: Foods With Recyclable PackagingPurchase foods with recyclable packagingExample: Any food in recyclable packagingNegative externalities created when principle is violated: Damage to human health and the environment from landfills.19
  • 20. Sustainable Food IndexSimple ten point index to gauge the sustainability of a foodA food could score one point for meeting each principleEasy way to rank different foods20
  • 22. An Example: Driscoll’s Organic Raspberries22
  • 23. Organic RaspberriesIndigenous Food – Yes, American red raspberries are indigenous to North AmericaWild Food – No, grown on family farmsOrganic Food – YesIn-Season Food – Yes, according to the availability chart Local Food – No, transported from California23
  • 24. Organic RaspberriesWhole Food – YesFresh Food – Yes, if consumed fairly quicklyProperly Nourished Food – Assume Yes, Driscoll website notes “natural growing methods”Paleo Food – YesRecyclable Packaging – Yes, recyclable plastic24
  • 25. Sustainable Food Index – Organic Raspberries25
  • 26. Index IssuesHow do you rate foods with multiple ingredients?Could focus on primary ingredient or average scores for each ingredientHow is “local” defined?A mileage ring should be determined, e.g., 30 miles.How does “in-season” apply to animal foods?Beef is generally available all-year; other game is seasonalHow is fresh defined?26
  • 27. Other Index IssuesCould a food scoring higher on the index actually be causing more external damage?Yes. For example, a long transit may create more damage and pollution than other parts of the index.Would the Paleo principle in the index be accepted into the mainstream?27
  • 28. Economic IssuesSustainable is often more expensiveCompanies may pursue the least costly externalities to eliminateCould/should the index be enforced?Health care cost are being paid by taxpayers on the back end anyways28
  • 29. Ultimate QuestionsCan the world’s population be sustained on Paleolithic food?Where do you put all the people?“Paleo 2.0” version of food production29
  • 30. Thank youwww.mattmetzgar.comMatt Metzgar, PhDUniversity of North Carolina Charlottemmetzgar@uncc.edu30