Economics of the Food System

David Blandford, who holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Manchester, is a professor emeritus of agricultural and environmental economics at Pennsylvania State University. His teaching and research interests include agricultural and food policy, and international trade.James Dunn, who holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University, is a professor emeritus of agricultural economics at Pennsylvania State University, where his teaching and research focused on agricultural policy and food industry economics.Alan Webb holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University and served 14 years as trade economist with USDA before joining Winrock International as a consultant on agricultural development. He held teaching and research positions at the University Putra Malaysia and National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

In my career in agribusiness, government and university, I have had a bit of a unique perch to view the world of agricultural economics, policy and trade. Perhaps for that reason I am so impressed with this book. It is truly a gift for educators and students alike. For our Department and many others in Canada and the United States, I believe this book can and will become the pillar, or cornerstone, for required introductory and intermediate courses in the economics of food systems for years to come. It is the only current, up-to-date book of its kind and it is incredibly good. I personally think it unlikely that anyone else, in this day and age, will even consider writing another textbook of this nature, scope and quality. Accordingly, it is my hope that this textbook will be widely adopted, ensuring future editions and allowing educators the comfort to know that their Economics of Food Systems current and future textbook needs are so well met by this excellent book." —Brian Oleson, professor and past chair at the University of Manitoba, former Senior VP of Corporate Affairs at the Canadian Wheat Board