Visualizing the problem

When it comes to debating healthy food access in America, I believe it all comes down to subsidies. The premise is simple but its effects are far-reaching. Basically, the federal government pays farmers millions of dollars (possibly more) to grow certain crops. The plants that receive the most attention are corn, soy and wheat. Through subsidization the price of the processed crops are cheaper because the planting and processing is paid for by the government. These food subsidies are rooted in the Farm Bill. This piece of legislature defines and enforces our nations agricultural policy which in turn, influences international trade agreements, health and nutrition policy, school food and other economic needs.

The pyramid above does a great job of showing the reality of food distribution in America. I apologize for the small print, so I will explain what’s going on in the picture. (For the original text and image, go here.) The pyramid on the left represents which foods and how much of those foods were subsidized between 1995 and 2005. The pyramid on the right reflects the federal nutrition recommendations. To contrast these two perspectives shows just how corrupt and broken our food system is.

For those of you who buy milk and meat at the regular ol’ grocery store on a daily basis, the pyramid on the left explains why the costs are so low. It’s not that the cows or pigs or chickens themselves are subsidized, it’s the cost of production. One of the reasons corn, soy and wheat are so heavily subsidized is to provide feed for our nation’s industrial meat production. When the feed is co cheap and the production is so large, the costs to produce enormous amounts of meat go down. (See an earlier post to visualize the consequence of cheap meat.)

At the same time, the pyramid on the left also shows the minimal margin between subsidised sugar and other grains. According to the recommended nutrition pyramid, grains are to make up the majority of our diet. And yet they receive a mere 13% of federal assistance. This puny number is just 3 percentage points above sugar. And we all know how little sugar we even need. To add to this, the abundance of corn led to the development of corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup. So not only is sugar subsidized a significant amount, but you also have huge quantities of super sugar being processed as well.

When you look at the pyramid on the right you see a large green section. Looking at the foods on the right, more than 30% of our diet is supposed to be fruits and vegetables. If that’s the case, why aren’t they subsidized?! And that my friends, is the crux of the issue. (One of the cruxes at least.)

Until fruits and vegetables are subsidized significantly and less money is provided to corn, soy and wheat, our national health concerns will not lessen. Obesity, heart disease and diabetes type 2 are all linked to the food we eat. It’s really possible to prevent these awful health concerns to arise. It must begin with reforming the Farm Bill and subsidizing healthy foods.

Related posts:

1. A Tax on Soda = Illogical Food Policy
2. To Tax or Not To Tax? Obesity is the Question.
3. Urban farming, Low-Income Communities and Burgeoning Dietary Epidemics
4. The Elimination Diet and a Cleanse
5. The Truth About Agave Nectar

Tags: diet, Food Politics, subsidies, USDA