Salud!

October 2, 2016 4:10 PM

Is Puerto Rico the Next Sustainable Ag Hot Spot? Additional related news includes Bayer Opens New Bio-Agriculture Facilities in Puerto Rico and Governor Cuomo Announces First-Ever Agriculture Trade Forum Between New York and Puerto Rico

A couple more related articles:
Puerto Rico Is Sowing A New Generation Of Small Farmers

Puerto Rico's born-again farmers dig for victory in island's debt battle

posted by Michele in California (1 comment total)

Thanks for posting this. As I live in another island colonized by the U.S. (Oahu) whose year-round agricultural production calendar is also attractive to Monsanto and friends, it's helpful to think through how Hawaii's statehood (as problematic as it is) has resulted in a much more generous flow of federal dollars to support infrastructure (e.g. our three "interstate" highways paid for in the name of national security).

But the Civil Eats article made me a little itchy because of this paragraph of judgy judgement combined with blithe unconcern with colonial impacts:

Spending three months in Puerto Rico in early 2016, I expected locally grown tropical fruits in mom-and-pop grocery stores, chefs serving Caribbean fare rooted in what they grow year-round, and home gardens on every block. Instead, major-chain grocery stores carried overpriced avocados from the Dominican Republic, while restaurants dished out Sysco-supplied ingredients—mostly battered and fried. While I got to know a few farmers and food advocates throughout the island, the general population showed a lack of agricultural knowledge and, frankly, interest.

posted by spamandkimchi at 3:16 AM on October 3, 2016 [1 favorite]