Monday, June 20, 2016

An Intuitive Look Into Farm To Table Omaha

By Virginia Watson


There is no denying the fact that for a living organism to thrive, it has to feed regularly. Doctors always opine that nutrient rich products always boost healthy living. However, getting access to fresh unrefined products can be challenging. The good thing is that many stakeholders in food production are taking steps to promote great initiatives such as farm to table Omaha.

In general, this initiative simply involves getting farmers to plant crops and rear animals that can be easily sold to locally based consumers. Besides farmers, other stakeholders in this kind of trade include local restaurants and food processing firms. Of late, the industry has been witnessing an upsurge in interest levels. More consumers look to healthy alternatives in their meal plans.

Local businesses stand to benefit a lot from such initiatives. By having a ready market for their produce, farmer can reap immense profits. Profits are always a great indicator of positive growth. What is more, farmers can easily repay their loans.

Restaurants and food processing firms that order fresh produce also stand to gain. Most people visit restaurants hoping to get fresh food these days. According to nutritionists and health experts, depending on processed foods over a prolonged period can be damaging to the body. Fresh produce is rich in nutrients that promote good health.

There are several stages that food always goes through before consumption. The first step is harvesting. This falls squarely on the hands of the farmers. During planting season, they always have to ensure they use the right amount of fertilizer for the best yields. Retail outlets usually sell fertilizers at subsidized rates in a bid to encourage more farmers to take up the initiative.

Once harvested, they proceed to store their produce in silos. The hard part is getting the most favorable market rates. Most food processors and restaurants sign agreements with their favorite farmers to get constant produce whenever they need it.

The main role of processing firms is to buy produce that ought to undergo further processing and perform the processing locally. On the other hand, restaurants usually go for fresh produce for immediate use. This way, they gain the trust of their customers. Processed foods cannot be transported without packaging. Therefore, processing companies are obliged to do so once they process them. Industry regulators always make this step mandatory since food is prone to contamination.

Consumption is the very last stage in the whole cycle. Consumers have the option of sampling fresh food at their local restaurants or cooking them in the comfort of their homes. Luckily, farmers also allow individuals to purchase their products for subsistence, which is a positive thing especially for those who are skeptical of the idea of eating at restaurants. Cooking at home can be quite a gratifying experience, considering the fact that it lowers spending. Owing to their affordable prices, farmers continue to get immense support from locals. This is a step in the right direction. Economies always thrive when businesses are given an enabling environment.




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