jmccharen’s Recent Comments

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  Good points.

  I think it is important to remember that we're comparing what has become a rather large corporate entity to smaller cooperative models. Stonyfield is, indeed, doing business about as usual, with some good modifications. They are a large entity with built-in apathy towards individuals, and I don't think this is a sustainable thing. In the end we can't keep ignoring one another, or the well-being of the animals that feed us. I guess what I was pointing out is that Stonyfield is dealing, about as ethically as possible, with the abstract aggregate of their dairy farmers, and Hirshfield writes about them as an aggregate. It's the rising tide lifts all boats concept. It doesn't work for all the boats though. Never has.

  I would absolutely prefer to see a relocalized food economy that has a million different models. It'd be more secure, more interesting, and um...tastier, I imagine. It's really sad how the organic food movement has mostly just become another mega-agri-business sector.

  I guess it's back to the garden for me.On Gary Hirshberg argues that his company is doing a lot to support organic dairy farmers posted 1 year, 8 months ago 12 Responses

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  More like intentional business.

  I disagree. This is some of the most open and detailed defense of business tactics that I've ever read. He's not trying to convince you Stonyfield is nice and shiny and benevolent--he's trying to explain the challenges facing the industry. But look at the prices paid for milk. That says to me that this company is actually trying to make this system work for all stakeholders.

  If Stonyfield were trying to snowjob Grist readers this post would have been a lot more terse and have way more platitudes in it. You can't ever expect a for-profit corporation to do anything but seek profit, but I do believe those corporations can shift their practice to integrate human interests into their bottom line.

  I think it's the only way we'll ever see significant change in the total system. But he's right: if Stonyfield folds the mission fails. The company HAS to be strategic. It's an issue of volume and focus. At this point Stonyfield is far too large to act as if they're a homey co-op of a few family farms. As explained in the post, their position currently is more of a liaison and organizer for the whole industrial organic dairy system. At that job I think they're excelling. I don't think it's possible for them to deal with each individual family's difficulties anymore.  

  But geez, they do energy audits for farmers. That's awesome!

  I don't know, I think they're genuine. At least, I really really want to think so.On Gary Hirshberg argues that his company is doing a lot to support organic dairy farmers posted 1 year, 8 months ago 12 Responses