Agricultural News
Food Industry Leader John Patrick Lopez Says Sharing Agriculture's Story is Everyone's Responsibility
Tue, 07 May 2019 10:56:33 CDT
No longer is it acceptable to stand idly by in the ag and food industry while antagonists of the industry speak out against animal-based production and diets. It has become the responsibility of all industry participants to push back on this rhetoric and share the story of the good work that is being done to feed the world. According to John Patrick Lopez, chief operating officer of the Oklahoma City-based McDonald's beef supplier Lopez Foods, that task extends throughout the supply chain, including his own business. The most powerful defense against that negative rhetoric he says is the industry's own efforts to increase its sustainability.
"If we don't tell our story, someone else will tell it for us and as a result, it will negatively impact either a product or a business or a category," Lopez said, explaining the importance of getting out in front of the issues. "If you don't engage with your consumers in terms of transparency and tell your story - invite them in, share what you do - they won't believe you."
And, that story that needs to be shared with consumers in particular, Lopez says should highlight the wholesome practices being done within the industry that are constantly being improved to help raise the bar throughout the industry. Most importantly, he says this message needs to be delivered in a positive, proactive way.
"We need to make sure the consumer understands that we are trying to be good stewards of the land and the animals we raise," he said, asserting that the industry should never give consumers a reason why they should not want to buy beef. "We also need to be honest from a quality standpoint. We can't have consumers not feeling good about the products we provide as an industry. They need to feel good about buying beef. Sustainability is no longer just about using less water, less electricity, recycling- it's much bigger and we need to be mindful of it."
Listen to Lopez share his view on the importance of sustainability and transparency in the agriculture industry from his perspective as a part of the beef supply chain, with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, on today's Beef Buzz.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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