From Paper Money to Food Backed Money?

Since last year's market crash we noted of the reemergence of barter as way of conducting trade among nations. Essentially the difficulties or gridlock in the US banking sector has prompted many nations to administer direct bilateral exchange.

Now in some areas of the US, we read of accounts where local trade have been conducted with "local" currency units. But in contrast to merely paper money, the local currency called "Mendo Credits" reportedly is backed by "Food".
This interesting article from Jason Bradford at the Oil Drum

``Mendo Credits is a new food-backed local currency project partly funded by a grant from the California Endowment...

``Mendo Credits are backed by a tangible asset. In other words, Mendo Credits are a “reserve currency” as opposed to a “fiat currency” like Federal Reserve dollars. Many people are familiar with money backed by gold, which was once the case with U.S. dollars, but Mendo Credits are backed by reserves of stored food. Our reserve currency has a number of desirable properties at this time in history.

``The asset value of Mendo Credits remains stable over a significant time period because we lock in an exchange rate for specific quantities of food for one year from the date of issue. Whereas gold and silver are inedible, Mendo Credits can be redeemed for the sustenance of life. When you hold a Mendo Credit note, you know it represents the quantity of food printed on its face and, if you want or need to, you can actually get that food..

``Mendo Credits are just beginning to circulate in the town of Willits, CA and we hope this spreads around our region. Four central downtown businesses are serving as sales outlets for the new currency: The Bank of Willits, Mendonesia Café, The Book Juggler, and Leaves of Grass Bookstore. NCO also sells them at the Willits Farmers’ Market."

Read the rest here