Should we stop eating quinoa?

Question:

> "I am told that the expanding world market for quinoa --even that from Fair Trade farmers-- has caused the price to skyrocket in South America, making quinoa unaffordable to the local people. Comment?"

Answer:

Yes, prices for quinoa have doubled since the quinoa boom started in 2008. Many, however, believe that the current prices more accurately reflect the value of quinoa and the work it takes to cultivate and clean this specialty crop. It is has increased the average family farm income from $35/family per month to $140/family per month.

This valuation has resulted as a result of an increased demand from the world market for quinoa. Demand in its countries of origin was always low- even prior to the price increases. This due to quinoa being put down as peasant food, unsuitable for a good diet for over 500 years.

Recent market interest in quinoa has actually caused an increased demand in the countries of origin, who are still the main consumers of quinoa. Peru, for example is the main consumer of quinoa and a net importer, with a local consumption of 45,000 metric tons. In-country promotion of quinoa has increased the per capita consumption in that country to 33 portions per year, as opposed to Bolivia's 9 portions per year. (see attached slides in Spanish)

What is true is that life is difficult for poor people in the cities. With scarce resources they mainly eat white bread and rice. Many are immigrants from the countryside looking for work. The quinoa boom is providing work opportunities back home for immigrants. This reverse migration has a positive effect on the poverty levels, and we are convinced in that fair-trade quinoa is a powerful poverty reduction mechanism.

As far as consumption by growers goes, our Bolivian supplier has started a program where all farmers are automatically provided 5% of the best of their crop back, cleaned to the highest standards. This so that they do not need to work hard to prepare a plate of quinoa- we want to make sure it's just as easy as white rice for them to prepare.

There really is no easy answer to this question, but we can tell you that the farmers are glad that consumers value the hard work they are putting into growing this seed. They grow it at 12,000 feet of altitude at the shores of the Bolivian salt flats where no other crop survives. Quinoa is the main source of sustenance for thousands of farmers who can now afford medical attention and can keep their children in school.

Not eating healthy is not the answer to someone else's hunger. Unfortunately, as long as most people are eating insustainable diets (e.g.: animal-based diets), there is not enough food to go around and everything we eat is taken away from somebody else's mouth. Focus your energies on actions that can actually make a difference; you can do your part by not overeating and by eating a plant-based diet. It takes 5 lbs of grain to feed 1 lb of beef, and 2 lbs of feed for 1 lb of fish. I think poultry is a 3:1 ratio, but I don't remember for sure. Either way, a plant-based diet makes a huge difference. I guarantee you that eating your protein-rich quinoa is doing the world a lot more good than if you gave up the quinoa and ate a steak for your protein.

On the contrary, it is the increased income from the sale of quinoa that is causing problems. Having more money has caused the farmers to buy more processed foods. If they wanted to eat quinoa, they would grow some for themselves, but they have chosen to sell it so they can buy the crap foods the rest of the first world is buying. In Bolivia the government is now taking steps to promote healthy eating.

Certainly quinoa is a healthy grain food but as with everything in the west it is overdone. Dietitians recommend 1/2 to one serve per week.

PS, the quinoa I buy is grown in Tasmania.

Not sure but the reading I just did from on google search on "children in the Andes quinoa" Mentioned nothing of this. What I read was borderline positive and seemed to help the towns and farmers.

I've never bought quinoa for that very reason. The idea that we need it and it would be of benefit to us when we already eat so much food is utterly ridiculous. They need it, we don't. For us with it being so packed in protein that is complete it's actually a liability. For them it's a vital staple.

one person stopping will not make a difference.

As long as people are willing to pay high prices for food no matter which kind it is the price will remain high.

Corn is going up in USA because of the demand for it and people are willing to pay the price for it.

famine and drought in USA also is increasing the price, if you stop eating it you need to replace it with healthy foods that do the same thing.

I do not have the answer to world hunger. The taboo word would make a huge difference but instead of doing it the christian way we are greedy and want and desire it for ourselves. We do not need more laws we need people to love one another as the good book says. If you do not work you do not eat but if you can not work and can not have the education to work, teach people to work and be willing to share with them until they are able to stand on their own two feet and feed themselves and their children.

I am not into politics and do not like ether candidate is there anyone out there with the education to become president that would care for the people and not only create jobs but make sure there is education to help them get the job.

Eat soy then!

I think people who have so much variety available to them shouldn't take traditional foods out of the mouth of people in less developed countries. We have unlimited sources of protein here in the US. To choose to eat expensive, imported quinoa just because you want to be cool...thus driving up local prices...is terrible.