Minnesota Farm Living

Connecting Consumers with Farmers


How Food Fear is Spread and Why Words Matter

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At what point do we say enough is enough.

Dr. Josh Axe published the second annual Chain Reaction II scorecard analysis of top restaurants on his website. The analysis supposedly highlights the “problem of routine antibiotic usage” in the meat and poultry operations that supply the nation’s top restaurant chains. The report is sponsored by organizations such as National Resources Defense Council, Consumers Union, Friends of the Earth and Center for Food Safety, organizations that reflect misinformation and ideology. 

How restaurants are scored

To score an “A” a restaurant is required to only serve meat where animals have never been given antibiotics or given antibiotics important to human medicine. To score an “F” a restaurant serves meat that may have been given antibiotics and if they did receive antibiotics, have followed the prescribed withdrawal times to ensure the antibiotics are naturally removed from the animal before market.

The bottom line?

Both restaurants that scored an “A” or “F” serve meat that has zero antibiotics in the meat. Continue Reading

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What If Consumers AREN’T Always Right?

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You’ve heard it. Many times. The consumer is always right. And you dare not question it. Ever. If you do, you will be scolded and/or mocked. I know, because I have walked those shoes.

Marketers live and die by that statement.

But what if, just what if, the consumer isn’t always right? What if they are right based on the information they have? What if they don’t have all the information and are making important food decisions based on lack of information or just plain wrong information? Especially when it comes to their food. Does it matter? 

Yes, it matters

Because sometimes . . . information consumers don’t have about how their food is raised or grown affects our entire food system. Let’s take a look at the recent initiatives by the state of Massachusetts to outlaw the use of gestation stalls (gestation stalls are individual pens where sows are housed) as well as other animal welfare issues. 

The new law in effect in Massachusetts

The new law will prohibit Massachusetts farmers from confining egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and calves raised for veal in spaces that prevent the animals from “lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs, or turning around freely” — and the sale of products from animals confined in that way.

And it was passed overwhelmingly. 77.7% in favor, 22.3% against.Continue Reading

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We don’t tolerate animal abuse either, so stop thinking we do

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NOTE: This is a guest post by Kristeena Patsche

It was only a few weeks ago when I found myself in an uncomfortable position. I was volunteering on behalf of Minnesota pig farmers, allowing attendees at a Minneapolis event to ask questions about pig farming and what we do on the farm. In return, each question equaled one pound of ground pork donated to the local food shelf.

An innocent, simple way to have a conversation and donate some pork, right? Wrong.

It was during the middle of my shift when I, along with a few other pig farmer volunteers, found ourselves just feet away from an animal rights group, who sought us out and set up shop nearby.

Giving away animal abuse videos

The group was talking animal abuse by showing videos and giving away DVDs to those who stopped by. One gal came toward us to take a picture of our area. As she turned around, she yelled, “Why are you smiling? Animal abuse isn’t funny!”
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Tyson Foods takes new steps in improving animal well-being

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods. All opinions are entirely my own.

I love how farms can be so different but yet so similar. Diverse livestock and crops, farm size, and farm methods is what makes us different, but one thing we all share is similar attitudes, skills, perseverance and passion. We wake every single day wanting to do better than the day before. It’s that positive attitude that tomorrow will be a better day that fuels farmers.

And you know what, it’s not just farmers wanting to do better. Companies like Tyson Foods also share the same values. They understand the importance of animal well-being and the needed skills, perseverance and passion to raise healthy animals. In fact, they have a goal to be leaders when it comes to animal well-being.

And they are well on their way. Is it enough?

Let’s take a look at some of the steps they are taking in improving animal well-being.

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Chicks

Raising Expectations

Tyson Foods is raising expectations. Raising expectations through their company, their farmers and consumers. Let’s start with who Tyson Foods is and isn’t.Continue Reading

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