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By Laura Stec
We’ve been studying Food Fight, A Citizens Guide to the Next Food and Farm Bill, by Dan Imhoff. For a Cliffs notes model of this vital piece of federal legislature, click on right here to comply with the story over 8 posts.
Farm Bill. Not Sexy. Really Matters.
Section two of this 2012 e book seems to be at present points that may have an effect on future Farm Bill negotiations and any effort to create a extra balanced method to meals subsidies; one the place grain commodities share equal stage with help for greens, beans, nuts and fruits, or specialty crops.
Growing weight problems within the U.S. is one such difficulty. Food Fight asks:
What is the Farm Bill’s function in public well being, and does it contribute to America’s weight problems disaster? (pg. 115)
One facet argues subsidizing commodities utilized in corn syrup and junk meals makes them way more engaging and accessible. Low-income individuals come to depend on low cost junk meals, not out of desire, however value. Metabolically poisonous, ultra-processed carbohydrates (starch) seasoned with sugar, salt and fats, or not, who cares whenever you’re hungry?
Others argue not so quick. Don’t blame the subsidies. They are only a symptom of shopper demand and the unlucky “cultural shift toward unhealthy eating.” People will demand their junk meals, regardless of the value.
The the explanation why two-thirds of us are chubby, (rapidly shifting to ¾’s of the inhabitants) are complicated. Imhoff doesn’t opine, however fairly reveals how out of alignment USDA insurance policies are to its personal dietary pointers. What they inform us to eat and what they subsidize farmers to develop are full opposites.
EX: In the 2008 Farm Bill, $13 – $21 billion was spent on commodities, whereas solely $600,000 was spent on fruit, greens and nuts.
– Graphic courtesy of the USDA and Food Fight
Environmental well being is yet one more piece within the public well being puzzle we name Farm Bill. Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers infiltrate fashionable agriculture, required no much less to develop acres of mono-cropped wheat, corn and soy (high backed commodities) Taxpayers pay for others to pollute our our bodies and the land we inhabit.
The excellent news is extra individuals are paying consideration. Public well being organizations such because the Centers for Disease Control and John Hopkins Center have began selling the connections between farming practices, crop subsidies and improved public well being. Nonprofit groups are organizing to build awareness of Farm Bill’s public well being weak point and constructing campaigns to get eaters concerned.
For the Farm Bill to attain its acknowledged aim of supporting a wholesome meals system, modifications should be made. This contains extra help for variety in crop manufacturing and truthful costs for farmers, together with an ongoing public schooling marketing campaign to advertise heathy consuming.
Voters arise!
We want a system which helps the dietary, environmental and style challenges of the twenty first century.
Farm Bill negotiations are occurring in House committees now, and the renewal of the Bill is predicted this fall. Contact your local representatives and make your voice heard.
– Graphic courtesy of Food Fight
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