Food Production Archives - Dirt to Dinner

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Connecting you with our food system and its value in our daily lives — from dirt to dinner.

Food Production

What’s Keeping Food Costs So High?

The cost of the food we put on our tables is still going up and up. What keeps driving up food costs...and is there anything we can do about it? Or is paying more for our food the price we pay for a better, healthier food system? Let's take a closer look.

Food Production, Food Trade

Where does our food come from?

We're taking a journey into some of our favorite foods to see where they’re from and how they get to our supermarkets. With products like these, seems simple, right? Mix ingredients and ship them out. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth...

Food Production, Food Trade

Digging in with Ethan Meissner, FFA Entrepreneurship Winner

Ethan, member of Wisconsin's FFA chapter, has worked in a meat processing facility since he was 15. The skills he learned on the job helped him to become a national proficiency winner. Let's hear what he has to say about his experience thus far!

Food Production

Holy Cow! What happened to Dean Foods & Borden Dairy?

Two significant dairy companies went bankrupt in 2020. Was it because of the influence of plant-based milk or was it because the dairy industry needed some consolidation?

Food Production

The World of Wheat

Wheat is one of the oldest and most important grain crops in the world, grown in 42 U.S. states and 80 countries around the globe. And its value in feeding a growing global population is incalculable.

Food Production

A new take on the old shell game

Grab a handful of dry roasted peanuts and join Dirt to Dinner’s Digging In for a conversation with Richard Owen, President & CEO of the American Peanut Council.

Food Production, Food Security

Garland's Letter from Atlanta

Ever wonder what farmers do when they aren’t planting, tending or harvesting their crops? D2D wanted to find out, so we attended a winter conference to learn a few new things. And pick up a side of gratitude just in time for the holidays, too.

Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

Ukraine Conflict Tops 2022's Ag Headlines

The resulting disruption ripples across every aspect of agriculture, magnifying the importance of global interdependence. We'll also highlight other top stories and questions as we move into 2023. Buckle up.

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

A Roadmap to Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Inflation has had a major impact on food prices. And, making it worse, ongoing supply chain strains have led to empty shelves at our supermarket. What does this mean for our Thanksgiving grocery lists? And how will this affect our wallets? Let us help you navigate!

Food Production, Food Trade

Lost at Sea: Ukraine Struggles to Revive Ag Sector

Uncertainties over Ukraine's ability to export ag products have resurfaced following news of Putin’s decision to withdraw from an international agreement. Trade manages to continue, but once again the stability of the global food system has been called into serious question.

Food Production, Food Security, Food Trade

Feeding the World while Healing the Planet

The Nature Conservancy's Global Regenerative Food Systems Director, Saswati Bora, provides a new way of thinking about solving humanitarian, climate and biodiversity crises with the introduction of Foodscapes.

Food Production, Food Security

Can food packaging & global health coexist?

Every day, plastic’s value shines through by keeping our global food system safer while reducing transport costs and decreasing food waste. But is it too late to correct unrecycled waste’s disastrous trail across the globe?

Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy

Plastic food packaging: opportunity or lost cause?

Plastic packaging has indisputably revolutionized our global food system, keeping foods safer as it moves across the globe with fewer transport needs and less fuel...but at a steep environmental price. Is there any hope?

Food Production, Food Safety

Anybody Want a Job in Ag?

Finding the workers needed to make our modern food system function is a major challenge across our supply chain. And now we have a perfect storm of labor issues affecting us all.

Agricultural Labor, Food Production

The Rise of Alternative Proteins

The world of protein is accelerating. Now, everything that can be made from a plant or animal can now be made in a lab using fermentation, bioreactors, and plant engineering. But what do consumers think about these new proteins? And how will it shape the future of food?

Food Production, Food Technology, Future of Food

How is Salt Made?

Salt is a vital component in the functioning of our bodies and it boasts over 14,000 known uses. Where does it all come from?

Food Ingredients, Food Production

Your Views on Food Information Credibility

Results are in for our food information credibility survey. With your input, we’ll make our site the most credible and trusted source of information about food and our food system available anywhere.

Food Production

Can genetically engineered salmon save the world?

AquaBounty is known for its development of the first genetically engineered salmon. Now that the AquAdvantage Salmon has finally hit the market, we want to see where they are now.

Food Production, Food Technology, Soil and Crop Management

Why Are Shelves Empty? Ask A Trucker

The effects of the pandemic linger across all industries, but perhaps most with transportation. Difficulties facing trucking show its rippling effects throughout the supply chain. Can anything be done to correct its course?

Food Production, Food Trade

We've got questions for you, 2022...

Governments and companies are changing the way we address food security, the environment, and consumer health. At D2D, we have covered some of these subjects previously but are now looking harder at how the future will be shaped by those who grow, trade, process, and consume food.

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade, Health, Soil and Crop Management

Supply Chain, Inflation & Climate Change

We're taking a moment to look back at some of the big issues and news items in 2021 to set the stage for what should be another year of change.

Climate Change, Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

The Labor Shortage: Lack of Workers or Lack of Willing Workers?

Labor shortages plague every sector of our current economy, leading to significant supply chain issues affecting everyday products. With available ag jobs growing, why is this happening? And how will we be affected?

Food Production

What do probiotics have to do with it? Why soil health matters.

TNC's Renée Vassilos details how soil microbiomes drive healthy environmental ecosystems to increase productivity and profitability. Here are five innovative companies leading the way in this field...

Agricultural Technology, Food Production

5 Things ‘Seaspiracy’ taught me about Seafood

Aside from its distorted facts and questionable agenda, the Netflix film, 'Seaspiracy', smartly spotlights glaring issues in the sustainable seafood industry. However, options exist that support a healthy seafood system -- we just need to ask the right questions.

Agricultural Technology, Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy

The Protein Blues: Confessions of a Confirmed Carnivore

Join Garland's journey as he forages through the implications -- and inconveniences -- of all the modern-day protein options.

Food Production, Food Technology

Why Do We Make Bad Food Choices?

Before reading Jack Bobo's new book, I assumed I was making good choices to stay healthy. But after reading "Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices", I questioned everything. Are social media and grocery store marketing tactics hijacking my decision-making? Apparently so...

Food Production, Health

Saving Our Soil...One Billion Microbes at a Time

Despite their meager size, soil microbes have a significant impact on the health of plants, animals, and our planet. Innovative microbial technologies have been found to increase soil fertility and plant health, as well as understanding our own needs and those of the Earth's.

Food Production, Food Security, Food Technology, Soil and Crop Management

Covid's Effect on New Tech in Our Food System

Innovations in e-grocery services have made our lives easier, safer, and more efficient, but have also permanently impacted our food supply chains. How can these emerging technologies help transform our new food system?

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

Don’t Look Now, But They’re Gaining on Us

U.S. ag is one of the most productive, efficient, and well-developed systems on the planet. But Brazil and Argentina have quickly and impressively developed complex global food & ag systems. What does this mean for us?

Food Production, Food Trade

Will New Wheat and Barley Genomes Help Feed the World?

Scientists have discovered a new genetic variation in both barley and wheat through genetic sequencing. This global effort to breed higher-yielding crops can help feed a growing population.

Agricultural Technology, Food Production, Future of Food

Meeting Demand: A New Type of Salmon

There's a new breed of salmon that requires less food and water, takes less time to grow, and supports the rural American economy all while having the same health benefits as farmed or wild-caught salmon. Will you buy it?

Animal Welfare and Health, Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy

Behind the Scenes with a Local Beef Farmer

Dave and Holly Albert, owners of Misty Mountain Farms, raise cattle for their local Pennsylvanian market. Their operation runs on a strong value system, adherence to conservation, continued profitability, and consumer relationships.

Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

Sustainable Seafood & Healthier Oceans

Did you know that every time you eat fish, it can directly impact our oceans? Wild-caught seafood is in high demand, but we can't sacrifice the health of aquatic life. So how can we make better choices for all when seafood shopping?

Food Production, Food Security

Will We Still Have A Thanksgiving Turkey This Year?

Covid cases are on the rise again as we approach the holiday season, and we're wondering what that means for our Thanksgiving dinner....will there be enough turkeys for everyone who wants one?

Food Production

Making the Case for Sustainable Aquaculture

More than half the fish we eat comes from fish farms. But some countries' farms operate with little to no health or safety standards and zero traceability. With our rising need for fish, are we willing to pay more for high quality and transparent aquaculture production?

Agricultural Technology, Food Production, Food Safety

The Future of Food Packaging

Trends like eliminating plastic straws feel like a big leap in bettering our world, but to be effective, we need to address the bigger picture of packaging. So, how do we continue to find compelling ways to protect our environment, eliminate food waste, and effectively package our food?

Food Production, Future of Food

Dairy: An Industry in Quiet Turmoil

Dairy has been hit hard recently, but the truth is that the U.S. dairy sector has had problems long before COVID. The pandemic has only made things worse. A lot worse...

Food Production

Why produce aisles look so barren right now…

We see the lack of fresh fruits and veggies in our supermarkets, but we hear on the news about produce wasting away in the fields. How is this happening? And will it get better?

Food Production, Food Security

The Meat Industry & Shifting Consumer Behavior

With fluctuating meat prices affecting consumer demand, will we have enough meat to feed our families? And at prices we can afford?

Food Production, Food Security

Where is our Food?!

It’s enough to make anyone concerned. Maybe even a bit worried. What is happening to our food supply during the pandemic?

Food Production, Food Security

What's happening at our local grocers during COVID-19?

We have a bunch of questions about changes in product demand, managing supplier channels, and maintaining employee safety during this fragile time. So we turned to a local Midwest grocer for their insights...

Food Production, Food Safety

A Virtual Happy Hour with Vegan Wine

With social distancing, we're not at the mercy of a small wine list at a local pub. So should we start our virtual happy hour with something vegan? But aren't grapes an inherently vegan product? Animal products have a role in wine production, and vegan consumers should be aware.

Food Ingredients, Food Production

Jack Bobo: How We Choose Our Food

Especially during chaotic times like this, we rely on Jack Bobo's insights into our behaviors as food consumers to educate us and help us make better decisions. While we search our supermarket for a new "superfood" to cure us or a "natural" product to make us feel healthier, Jack is searching for the answers to why our brains want us to behave this way and what we can do to better evaluate our purchasing decisions.

Agricultural Technology, Food Production

Can Technology Save Urban Farming?

With a growing population and demand for sustainability, innovations in ag are more crucial than ever. Let’s see how pioneers in indoor ag are developing technologies that could prove impactful for our growing needs.

Food Production, Food Technology, Future of Food, Soil and Crop Management

2 Trade Deals and Plant Food in a Pear Tree: Top News in 2019

2019 has been a wild ride! News about our food and how we get it – from dirt to dinner – have had us on the edge of our seats...

Animal Welfare and Health, Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy, Food Safety, Food Trade, Soil and Crop Management

Coffee: Uniting Our Worlds

Our morning brew is so much more than just another beverage! Each cup connects us with farmers in the rainforests and mountains, highlighting the importance of sustainable farming. To bring our cup of joe to life, we introduce sustainability-rated Colombian coffee producer, Finca El Ocaso.

Food Ingredients, Food Production, Food Trade

The Dirt to Dinner Team: Giving Thanks

The D2D Team has a lot to feel grateful for this holiday season! Here are a few things that we'll be giving thanks to this year as we celebrate with our family and friends.

Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

What Are Dead Zones…and is Ag to Blame?

Each year, “dead zones” – large bodies of water lacking the oxygen needed to support aquatic life - appear all around the world. This summer’s flooding in the Midwest has made it worse. How does this happen? And what can we do?

Climate Change, Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

Pet Food for Thought

The FDA recently stated that several specialty dog food formulations have led to canine heart disease. With so many food choices today, what should we feed our pets?

Food Ingredients, Food Production, Health

What's Happening in Ag?

Agricultural Technology, Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy

From the Farm Babe: Who is Dirt-to-Dinner?

Dirt-to-Dinner recently visited Michelle Miller, one of our favorite social media collaborators and the voice behind The Farm Babe. Here, Michelle details a bit of the story behind Dirt-to-Dinner and sheds some light on the importance of partnering with like-minded “Agvocates.”

D2D on the Farm, Food Production

Palm Oil: In Pursuit of Sustainability

Every day, consumers are unwittingly caught in a catch-22. Palm oil, an ingredient in many of the foods we eat and products we use daily, has a reputation for deforestation and habitat destruction. But there is a solution: growing it sustainably.

Food Production

Environmental Working Group’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ list is an unscientific scam

Food Production, Food Safety

Waste Not, Want Not: Eat Beer and Drink Sandwiches!

Drink Sandwiches? Eat Beer? Beer manufacturers and breweries are turning spent grains into bread, animal feed and even energy and compost. They are also taking bread and turning it into beer! The efforts of the beer industry point to significant progress in the battle against food waste.

Food Production

Rallying for our Flooded Farmers

The ongoing flooding in Nebraska and Iowa has pushed many over the edge, making the next harvest an impossibility for some. Many have lost their homes, their farms, and their livelihood. Here is how you can help.

Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy, Food Security

We Need Common Sense to Understand Risk

Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

Food Future: What will it take to nourish a nation in 2050?

Food Production

The Green New Deal: Where's the Beef?

The Green New Deal calls on the U.S. to take a leading role in reducing emissions through “economic transformation.” The references to farming and agriculture’s footprint have generated a lot of discussion among the farming community.

Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy

Saving Chocolate, One 'Kiss' at a Time

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! As you enjoy sweet chocolate confections today, consider this – the cacao tree is under threat from deforestation, pests and diseases, and climate change. Can it be saved by scientific intervention? Ethos Chocolate has come up with a clever promotion to help consumers embrace the possibility.