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Use of the Internet could go a long and astounding way to realize the dream of Economist Barbara Ward (Lady Jackson) for an agricultural-based economy to first "boot-strap" itself and then to thrive. The sooner the better. Great panel!

So many interesting issues! This sounds like an excellent panel!!!!!

Great panel idea...and some interesting questions raised above.

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for checking out this panel proposal. I have included more detailed information about the panel in this comment, but feel free to email me at elizabeth.greene(at)sloan.mit.edu if you have questions or suggestions.

Content: This panel will move the food conversation beyond niche markets and consider how interactive tools can be used to improve the food system that the majority of the people on this planet depend on. Topics will include how the internet can broaden market access for agricultural producers and consumers at a global level, how environmental and social criteria can be incorporated into companies’ and individuals’ sourcing decisions, and how mobile and web applications can integrate information and improve the efficiency of transactions in the food and agriculture industry in a way that has the potential to shift the industry standard.

Proposed panelists (subject to change): Representatives from The Seam (an online trading platform for cotton, peanuts, and other staples, including for USDA-sponsored programs), FreshDirect (an online grocer that markets and delivers food to New York City consumers), Good Guide (a website that provides many layers of information about consumer products), and Historic Futures (supply chain management software that allows traceability of products and incorporates sustainability metrics).

About me: I am a graduate student at MIT, where I focus on how technology can advance the food and agriculture industry. I have experience with both multinational commodity trading firms and start-ups in the organic sector, and enjoy consuming food products that meet my environmental, social, and nutritional preferences.

Great topic connecting tech to real world issues affecting billions

All are important questions to ask in an age of increasing and intensifying competition for resources around the world. It's about time someone started thinking outside the box and promoting an alternative way of thinking about food and the global need for access to healthy food and clean water.

I believe this is the kind of thing the internet was made for. Fantastic!

Great panel idea! These are very important and timely issues.

This approach is particularly intriguing because it has the potential to bring benefits not only to knowledgeable, well-informed consumers and producers but also to consumers, producers, and their intermediaries in systems where basic sustenance remains a major challenge. I can envision some powerful ancillary impacts in these markets, such as movements to take simple technology to producers in developing countries in order to help them serve their own and the world's needs.

I think the agricultural business could greatly benefit from better dissemination and sharing of information since transportation is a major cost component of agricultural goods not to mention the obvious negative impact on the environment. A widely used electronic exchange designed around local sellers and buyers of produce would be phenomenal. The local markets could be tied regionally as well to create the most efficient distribution of goods.

This sounds like a wonderful, timely topic.