Follow Up To Farmers Market And Locally Grown Food

Eric Bronson last week commented about wanting to know exactly where his food is being grown and by whom. That really got me thinking with all the technology available why we couldn't have a more sophisticated system other than a sign which says, "Locally grown."

Well Eric, and others I found the technology is available and being used today in Japan. The technology is based on a process originally developed in 1994 by Denso-Wave for its manufacturing plants. Called QR for quick response it lets consumers use cell phone software to snap a picture of the QR label.

When you go to the store you have your cellphone with the QR software. You pick up the melon you like, and take a picture of the QR label on the melon with your cellphone camera. The label is then transmitted quickly and retrieves the Information.

According to Homegrown Evolution.com, "In the supermarket, consumers use camera equipped cell phones to scan the QR code on the label. The code links to a mobile website detailing origin, soil composition, organic fertilizer content percentage (as opposed to chemical), use of pesticides and herbicides and even the name of the farm it was grown on."

Homegrown Evolution brings up some concerns about implementing this in the American market with costs and privacy issues. With the US government's delight in bureaucratic rule making coupled with marketers desire for intimate buying decision information, it can be a mixed blessing here stateside.

What are your thoughts? Let me know.

All in a gardeners day,