True cost accounting of food

True cost accounting (TCA) of food is a comprehensive and innovative methodology designed to go beyond the conventional price tag of agricultural products.

TCA considers factors such as environmental degradation, public health implications, and social equity, offering a holistic perspective that enables policymakers and consumers to make more informed decisions. This approach serves as a powerful tool in shaping practical policy solutions, fostering transparency, and promoting a food system that values long-term sustainability over short-term economic gains.

Unveiling the Hidden Capitals of Cow-Calf Operations in Rangelands of the West: A TCA TEEBAgrifood Application

Beef livestock ranching is an important agricultural activity rooted in the history of the American West. Despite the long history and culture surrounding cattle and ranching in the West, recent times have left many cattle ranchers feeling under attack as media attention has highlighted potential environmental impacts of cows and health concerns around red meat. As these generalizations influence consumer perceptions around beef consumption, there is a need to employ a more robust understanding of beef livestock production as a complex socio-ecological system. 

The Swette Center and Colorado State University collaborated on a pilot study to assess ranching in Arizona and Colorado using the TCA approach. Our results document the complexity of analyzing ranching in the West and provide monetary estimates that capture key benefits and costs in cattle production.

Milk and Plant-Based Alternatives TCA Research: A Collaboration with Starbucks

The consumption and sales of plant-based alternatives (PBAs) have been growing substantially in the last decades. An important reason for PBAs increasing popularity is that consumers of these products consider them better than dairy milk for both the environment and animal welfare. However, the data on their environmental impacts in the scientific literature is limited, heterogeneous, and fragmented. Furthermore, there is very limited data on how PBAs compare to dairy milk in terms of their dependencies and impacts on human and social capitals.

The Swette Center is collaborating with Starbucks on carrying out a TCA analysis of selected PBAs and dairy milk in order to assess not only the market prices of these beverages, but also the positive and negative externalities that they generate in order to arrive at their “true cost.” Our results will help Starbucks make better and more informed decisions about the mix of beverages that they offer.

Comparing the True Cost of Edible Oils: A Collaboration with KAITEKI

Edible oils are products that are not only important for direct human consumption, but also play a key role in the production of other food products. For example, canola oil is commonly used for the production of plant-based alternatives to dairy milk such as oat milk, or for the production of plant-based meats. However, the production and use of various edible oils generate different levels and types of externalities for the environment, diets, human and social conditions. Furthermore, different edible oils have different nutritional profiles, some healthier than others. Therefore, the choice of oils can present important trade-offs.

The Swette Center is collaborating with the Global KAITEKI Center on a TCA study to compare canola, palm, and coconut oils. Our aim is to provide evidence about the oils that lead to decisions which minimize negative externalities while delivering healthy choices.