Path to Plate

BY KATHRYN BRADY

According to the website it an unbiased look at how agriculture and the food that consumers eat affects their health. The program is designed to provide relevant, current and factual information that consumers can use to make informed decisions about agriculture and their health.

In the ever growing and urbanizing society, where the average American is three generations removed from the farm it is important for consumers to make a connection between agriculture and health. Therefore the ‘Path to Plate’ program is an examination of agriculture, the food we eat and the connection to our health.

In a world of the internet where information is quick and short, misinformation is on e of the main threats to human society according to the World Economic Forum and this is why the ‘Path to Plate’ was developed; to help consumer understand more food and food labels and how its grown and what all that means for your family. It is a central location to find accurate information on these topics. They have youth education programs and adult education program. as well as articles on the website to learn about individual crops, how they are grown, the varieties how to cook them and store them. For example: Grapefruit:

Grapefruit has been a popular Texas crop for over 100 years. Grapefruit makes up 80% of all citrus grown in Texas and is produced in the Rio Grande Valley. The Rio Grande Valley provides the perfect subtropical growing conditions for grapefruit trees to thrive. It takes at least three years for grapefruit trees to produce fruit, but as the trees age, yields increase. In fact, a 10-year-old tree can produce up to 250 lbs. of fruit annually!

Grapefruit can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, or canned, and can be utilized in a number of ways. Grapefruit juice can be extracted from the fruit and frozen, grapefruit peel can be candied and used as a source of pectin for the preservation of other fruits, and grapefruit peel oil is commonly used as a soft- drink flavoring. Even grapefruit byproducts are incredibly useful! The waste from grapefruit packing plants is converted to molasses for cattle, and grapefruit seed hulls can be used for soil conditioning or combined with dried pulp and used as cattle feed.

Not only is grapefruit a versatile multipurpose product, it is also very nutritious. As a citrus fruit, grapefruit is high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, and is sodium free, cholesterol free, and nearly fat free. Just one half of a grapefruit can provide up to 70 percent of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin C.

‘Path to Plate seems to be great example of a positive way to get good and correct information about foods into the minds of consumers. I would encourage you to check it out and tell your friends.

BY KALAN ROYAL

The American farmer and rancher has always been resilient, however, I have realized that in spite of their resiliency they have a point where they can no longer keep moving forward.

Traveling the Southeastern United States working with farmers on a daily basis over the last four years I have seen too many farmers leave behind generations of farming heritage as they cannot continueto profitably remain in the industry. Seeing the struggles of these customers and friends has led me to agvocate for the American farmer and rancher by encouraging consumers to buy American grown and raised products.

American farmers and ranchers pour their heart and soul into feeding this country and the world while also supporting their local community and economy. The impact of the struggles they are facing is being felt across the American economy as they are cutting costs and spending less in their communities and with equipment and product suppliers.

As agriculturalists we must connect and engage with consumers to educate them about agriculutre and encourage them to support American farmers and ranchers.

We can do this in face to face conversations, speaking to local clubs and schools and via social media. As consumers we must shop with knowledge and understanding and most importantly ask for, buy and demand American grown.