Food Politics

This study estimated, but did not actually measure, the improvement in fruit and vegetable consumption, as I read it. Has anybody actually measured the change in consumption under conditions of reduced price?
If even a small change in diet selection results from the expenditure of subsidy money, how does that dollar amount compare with reduced costs for medical care needed by the people who improved their diets?
I have seen case reports of community gardens projects that suggest there is a segment of the population that welcomes fresh produce added to their diet in inexpensive form. I guess an important question is whether the target population wants the fresh produce or is content with a diet of processed foods.

Maybe they can reduce the corn and soy subsidy programs to help pay for it! Some Danish and UK researchers have looked at subsidy programs and determined that they work. See their presentations on food tax reform at: http://www.cspinet.org/canada/2008conference/program.html
Keep up the good work Marion. You’re the conscience (that niggling voice in the back of our heads) of our food systems.

Subsidies ARE a major part of the problem. We have been giving huge amounts of money to AgriCorps who no longer need support from this antiquated system.
It is not time to start another Corporate Welfare system, even for Organic Fruits and Vegetables.

Instead of the awfully wasteful subsidy system, supporting SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, farms where farmers really need support and QUALIFY for it.

End the Corporate Welfare subsidizing Obesity!

If people actually liked eating fruits and vegetables, they would eat them.

Lowering the price probably won’t do a bit of good. Although it would be politically satisfying to say “we lowered the price of fruits and vegetables.’

Re: “if people actually liked fruits and vegetables, they would eat them”. That’s really only part of the picture. For a lot of low-income people, fresh fruits and vegetables are either not readily available or they’re just too expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, have a family to feed and don’t have a lot of time, you’re going to go for cheap, filling and convenient no matter what your taste preferences are.

There could be two different reasons why someone is not convinced by the argument. One is that there is something wrong with the analysis, like a technical error or an incorrect or questionable assumption, that could be discussed and pointed out. The other is that the results are unpalatable. I would guess most likely it’s the second reason. If you don’t like the results, the study must be wrong! If you do like the results, the study must be okay.