The Indispensable Role of Farmers in Times of Crisis

We still need to eat! Even during the pandemic, when a farmer quits his job for just a couple of months, the situation could become much worse. Millions of people would go hungry waiting for the next crop season.

Food Comes from Farms

While we enjoy the convenience of refrigerators and grocery stores, it's important to remember that food does not simply appear from these sources. Farms must produce it first. I'm a big fan of a juicy T-Bone steak, and while I can grill one at home, what happens when I decide to dine out at a steakhouse?

When you order a T-Bone, the chef doesn't just whip it out of a freezer. Somebody has to feed the cattle, hogs, chickens, turkeys, and grow crops. These are the essential steps in the production of your food. But with the pandemic, there was a period of panic buying, leading to shortages in various grocery stores.

Panic Buying and Its Impact

When the news first hit, the grocery store looked like a battlefield. Gone were the chicken breasts, thighs, and whole chickens. Pork was scarce, and beef was limited to high-end cuts. Seafood was relatively available, but most people had no idea what to do with cuts like filet mignon or other unfamiliar cuts. The milk and egg cases were almost empty.

However, due to the hard work of farmers, the stores eventually restocked. But imagine if they had stopped producing. Who has the skills to grow a large garden, raise poultry for eggs and meat, or milk a cow? Not many people today have these skills. I did, but I'm the exception, not the rule.

Farmers are always important, but their role becomes even more critical when food shortages become a real possibility. Without them, we would face severe food crises.

The Bottom Line:

Farmers are the unsung heroes of our food system, and their role in ensuring our food security is more vital than ever, especially during times of crisis.