Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Monopolistic Policies, AI-Powered Supply Chain Obfuscation and Coastal Organic Food Production in NL post-COVID: An Investigation into bad actors, greed and corporate influence over the future of our food supply.

Lots of shifts happening in our food supply chain here at the end of the NA food system.

One question arising from the current shift -> Is the coast of NL being targeted as a starting point for a new, more 'organic' NA food supply chain system emerging out of COVID?
It was looking like that until a couple pieces were knocked off the board over the past while...

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This has been a thread meant to keep track of the local food system as we emerge out of the pandemic and enter into a world of AI-controlled supply chains.

It'll end-up helping to explain how these new systems are impacting; consumer awareness of truly sustainable local coastal organic food production, control over our unregulated resources (via free trade deals), food sovereignty in general, carbon markets and the new level of top down control being implemented on all levels of the 'current system' (such as it is).

The story will eventually start with an overview of the the omni-present corporate grocery store model and end somewhere around the planned monopolization of our clean coastal organic resources via investor rights clauses found in all the free trade deals our governments have signed us up for...

Once all the data is compiled we'll walk through an investigation into how actors inside the obscure world of food, that lie between initial production and final household consumption are working on under-cutting sustainable real organic traditional farming practices to facilitate export opportunities by both new and old supply chain actors. After all, its all about GDP if you're in debt up to your eyeballs and want to keep the money train rolling...food sovereignty be damned.

Should be a fun ride (but maybe not for some investors). Check back in occasionally to see how one organic farmer on the coast of NL see's the new world of food we're living in today.

 

 

    - Canada's National Index on Agri-Food Performance


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ACOA Funded AI, Bioprocessing, Foodtech


https://entrevestor.com/home/entry/acoa-funded-ai-bioprocessing-universities

In Nova Scotia, Cape Breton’s Verschuren Centre took home a similar $2 million grant to increase its operating capacity by a factor of 10. The Verschuren Centre is a not-for-profit facility that provides contracted services for startups working in bio-processing, marine processing, carbon transformation, bioplastics, energy storage and sustainable resource use.

And in Newfoundland, ACOA paid $995,000 of the $1.9 million total cost for creating the Centre for Artificial Intelligence, a research institute that will collaborate with the private sector and train graduate-level students. The provincial government and Memorial are paying the remaining $432,000 and $498,000, respectively.

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AI Technology Is Improving Supply Chains and Fostering Economic Growth

https://www.innovatingcanada.ca/innovation/supporting-canada-superclusters/ai-technology-is-improving-supply-chains-and-fostering-economic-growth/


#policymatters #postcovid #aipoweredsupplychains #carbonmarkets #consumerawareness #coastalorganic

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World Farmers Markets Coalition

http://worldfarmersmarketscoalition.org/

"Farmers markets are like flowers. When given care, they thrive in sunlight and seek room to flourish. We envision a world of farmers markets, much like flowers in a field — serving as interactive symbols of commerce and community.

We recognize that, from global North to South, the ancient mechanism of farmers markets is being reimagined to address the urgent demands expressed in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Since the dawn of human civilization, farmers markets have contributed to the development of civic, commercial and political life. They build bridges between communities of all shapes, sizes and locations. In short, they are indicators of and contribute to civic, commercial and climatic health.

We celebrate the intentional reinvention of these ancient mechanisms to recover joy in everyday life, dignity for those who work the land and forage the waters, and reclaim a taste of place. They facilitate the proximity between people, tradition and innovation; and choice and agency for consumers.

When managed with clearly defined and publicly stated rules of engagement, 21st century farmers markets represent an important collaboration between farmers, consumers and the communities that host them. However, they do not simply run themselves. To be successful, they are managed. This is not to suggest that every farmers market is managed in precisely the same manner. After all, each market reflects the cultural, ecological, and geographic context of the place."

#pushback #globalreach #farmerled #shortsupplychains

 
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Walmart Canada investing over $14 million in Newfoundland and Labrador store renovations this year

https://www.walmartcanada.ca/newsroom/2022/10/18/walmart-canada-investing-over-14-million-in-newfoundland-and-labrador-store-renovations-this-year

"Mississauga, ON, Oct. 19, 2022Walmart Canada is investing over $14 million to renovate four stores in Newfoundland and Labrador this year, the retailer announced today at the St. John’s Board of Trade State of the Province.

These investments are part of Walmart Canada’s aim to transform the business and make the online and in-store shopping experience simpler, faster and more convenient for its customers.

Local stores renovated this year

  • Carbonear
  • Clarenville
  • Grand Falls-Windsor
  • Labrador City

New features and offerings

  • Expanding product assortment and offering an upgraded look and feel.
  • Integrating more dedicated omnichannel spaces for more online orders.
  • Refreshing interiors and exteriors, including fresh paint and new signage.
  • Adding LED lighting to key departments to enhance the interior experience.
  • Updating associate lounge areas, including new couches and other upgrades.
  • Renovating washroom areas, including new tiling and sustainability features.
  • Replacing and upgrading legacy systems with new technology and applications."

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tomflaim_last-week-i-had-the-pleasure-of-introducing-activity-6990726567412850689-lMd8

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Walmart to automate, pay staff more

Walmart aims to have 65% of its stores automated by 2026, a feat which would result in more "roles that require less physical labor but have a higher rate of pay." Speaking at an investor event in Tampa, Florida, CEO Doug McMillon said automation would help the nation’s biggest retailer and employer improve its operating margin by increasing worker output — and ultimately make more hiring possible. Fast inflation will continue to pressure the business, however, and slow the pace of hiring this year, the company’s CFO said.

  • Walmart, which has focused on food sales and diversified its business, may be better positioned to weather a downturn than other retailers.

https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/walmart-to-automate-pay-staff-more-5597132/


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Canada’s food supply chains offer a harvest of investment opportunities


https://www.investcanada.ca/blog/canadas-food-supply-chains-offer-harvest-investment-opportunities

"The integrated food supply chain is the number 1 agribusiness opportunity for foreign direct investment identified in a 2020 report from KPMG LLP, Advantage Canada: Reshaping Supply Chain Investment Opportunities After COVID-19, commissioned by Invest in Canada. Global food supply chains are seeking to re-build with accessibility and safety as their key cornerstones. Canada’s national farm-to-fork agri-business ecosystem is therefore well-equipped to transform itself." 

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75% Resale Policy put in place in Grand Falls - Windsor, Gander and Clarenville Farmers Markets


https://www.facebook.com/groups/NLFarmersMarkets/posts/5384986911534956/

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The Government of Canada is investing in storage capacity at the Gander International Airport in Newfoundland and Labrador to strengthen Canada's supply chains

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/the-government-of-canada-is-investing-in-storage-capacity-at-the-gander-international-airport-in-newfoundland-and-labrador-to-strengthen-canada-s-supply-chains-826152117.html

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National Trade Corridors Fund backgrounder

The $4.7 billion National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) helps fund infrastructure projects in Canada. These projects improve and increase the transportation system, including helping to withstand the effects of climate change and better adapt to new technologies and innovation, as well as address the transportation needs of the Arctic and northern communities.

Through the NTCF, the Government of Canada is investing in well-functioning trade corridors to improve the flow of goods and people in Canada and help Canadians compete in key global markets, trade more efficiently with international partners and keep Canada’s Supply Chains competitive. It represents a long-term commitment by the Government of Canada to work with stakeholders on strategic infrastructure projects to address transportation bottlenecks, vulnerabilities, and congestion along Canada’s trade corridors.

https://tc.canada.ca/en/programs/funding-programs/national-trade-corridors-fund/national-trade-corridors-fund-backgrounder


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The role of clusters in the agri-food supply chain - selected legal issues

Abstract: This paper addresses some topics related to the functioning of the agri-food supply chain. When properly structured, the chain tends to stabilize and allows to safeguard the profitability of agricultural activities. Agri-food clusters can play a particular role in this context. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess the legal solutions implemented at Union and national levels which directly or indirectly affect the way the clusters exist and function. Clusters were concluded to be a tool for the agricultural policy in place. They should be viewed as a collaboration method between operators active at different stages of the supply chain, and as a way to develop the chain’s individual links (agricultural producers, enterprises etc.). Since they can be freely established and are eligible for state support in a friendly legal environment, they are an enabler of collaborative networks and economic relationships.

https://revistaselectronicas.ujaen.es/public/journalslia/rej2022_22/7460/index.html

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AI and seaweed supply chains being worked on in the EU

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/algaia_algaia-artificialintelligence-seaweed-activity-7112335744962027520-SngN/

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FREE WEBINAR, November 16: Harnessing AI for Waste Reduction and Efficiency Enhancement Along the Agri-food Supply Chain in Canada.

https://twitter.com/FoodProfessor/status/1713694587397554442

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AesLmtetb6U

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A Comprehensive Guide to Supply Chain API Usage

https://www.cleveroad.com/blog/supply-chain-api/


 We'll take doors 1 thru 5, for all the #lolz...

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IBM Food Trust

A modular solution built on blockchain, benefiting all network participants with a safer, smarter and more sustainable food ecosystem


https://www.ibm.com/products/supply-chain-intelligence-suite/food-trust

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Do we live in a #FoodDesert? When it comes to fresh organic healthy food I would argue YES #nlfood

Do we live in a #FoodDesert? When it comes to fresh organic healthy food I would argue YES.

Been working on changing that for future generations but #boyohboy so many bullies and greedy people really don't get it and probably don't care...starting to think the underlying character of our leadership is less than desirable when it comes to the well-being of people here.

The 75% resale policy at markets in both Clarenville & Gander will lead to poor outcomes from our current investments in new farmland and the agriculture sector in general.

Supporting bad policy is just as detrimental to our health and the health of our people and environment as supporting bad practices when it comes to soil management and toxic inputs promoted by the agri-chemical industry.

The #greatreset is here and we need to be in front of the change and providing real solutions to get better outcomes.

https://www.facebook.com/EastportOrganics/posts/1015950792946437

 

Monday, February 8, 2021

on kelp, supply chains, healthy farming systems and good food stories

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Late Summer Update

From the greenhouse


Tomato, basil & cucumber











From the field

Zucchini, snow peas, green beans, kale, swiss chard, arugula, red mustard, beets, lettuce mix, parsley, cilantro, carrots, spinach, green onions, white / regular onions plus more







Sunday, June 7, 2015

Spring 2015 update

The greenhouse is now open daily 11-5.
For plant sales there's fresh 'green things' for planting out including snow peas, lettuce mix, spinach, arugula, 3-types of kale, swiss chard, mizuna, red mustard, green & yellow bush beans, blue lake pole beans & green onions plus LOTS more.
We have a few perennial edibles like oregano, thyme, egyptian walking onions, artichokes, hops, regular & garlic chives, black current & raspberry cuttings potted up and ready to go into your own food gardens.
There are early greenhouse-type vining tomatoes ready for those with their own greenhouses who like to get an early start like us plus there are smaller yellow gold nugget tomatoes now ready.
Also, we have some VERY tender spinach, kale & arugula ready to harvest in the greenhouse plus some in the field.
We now have fresh chives and rhubarb (as of June 7th) ready to harvest in the fields.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Fall moose hunting in Gros Morne National Park


This past fall I traveled to Gros Morne National Park for a moose hunt. I had applied to Terra Nova National Park as the first priority since I live right next door but ended up via the draw process with an area on the West Coast of the Island. The hunt in the parks is meant to help bring down the moose populations which are inhibiting the forest regeneration and thereby endangering the ecology.

This is a video of me and the two ponies making our way into retrieve the bull I shot the evening before.  Laddy is hauling the travois and MacKay is following behind. Video credit to Kirk Wiseman.





Photo Credits to Kevin Anthony

Saturday, December 10, 2011

The Farm Wish List and a great big THANK-YOU!!

While I'm not a supporter of buying useless junk to satisfy the economy this time of year, the farm does have a wish list of its very own. People have been suggesting I put one up for years, so here it is. A farm needs lots of materials, support, equipment & repairs to keep it running and these are just a few of the items I'd consider as needs for the future.

Also, a big THANK-YOU!! to all the volunteers from all over the world who helped out around the place this year. Thank-you to all the customers who frequented us for fresh food and to all others who offered support, guidance and well-wishes for the farms future success. This time of year is a time for stocking up the freezers, eating stews, reading, stretching, breathing, getting back in touch with the animal friends, doing some political activism and generally recuperating and planning for the coming season. Hope everybody enjoyed the fruits of the farm this year and here's to a better growing season next year!! Peace. Jason