Food is served on a variety of plates today;  plastic, china, big, small, and even fast food wrappers.  So you might be wondering why I’m asking about the shape of your food plate. As a cook and a bit of a “foodie”, I love a beautiful presentation on the cool square plates and the look of the ovals.

Check out the food & farm bloggers at https://causematters.com/ag-resources/, too.

However, as an agriculturist, I’m firmly convinced our food plate needs to remain round so that we can have all sides connected equally, whether it’s the farmer, scientist, nutrition expert or consumer. The circle gives people the opportunity to reach across, shake hands, and find common interests.  For example, science, accuracy and credibility are hot buttons with food producers, dietitians and scientists. The frustration with food trends, misinformed celebrity “experts” and inability to connect facts are other common needs. However, I rarely see the connection across our proverbial food plate happening.

This is increasingly important in today’s era of distrust. According to How Risky Is It, Really?, people are more afraid of business & industry, politicians and a process that’s closed. They are less afraid – more likely to trust – consumer groups, a neutral expert and a process that’s open. So, I have to ask, how open are we to sharing information from all sides of the food plate? Are we clear about the roles of scientists in monitoring and improving food? Do we effectively explain the technology used to improve food and nutrition? I think not.

Author Davied Ropeik also points to “The less we know, the more afraid we are likely to be.” We have fewer people involved with farming, more generations removed – and many, many food activists trying to sway opinions. It all adds up to people being afraid – and I believe ALL sides of the food plate have a responsibility to work together to provide open, accurate information. That means farmers can’t hide behind our technical jargon, scientists have to get out of the lab and dietitians must find ways to explain what they do.  I had the opportunity to be with those types of experts yesterday at the International Food Information Council – and am convinced the answer to food literacy is in our ability to more closely connect the people around the plate.

Food is an intensely personal choice. It’s not our job to tell people their choice is wrong. It’s our job to speak from our side of the food plate AND reach across to understand other sides. How are you going to do that?