A new damning report about our U.S. farm policy provides just the insights, astute analytical comments, and suggestions that we need to wake up our policymakers and as-yet-unaware physicians, etc.
The much-needed report — from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) — singles out the U.S. farm policy — which for the past 50 years has been driving down the prices of a few farm commodities, including corn and soybeans — as a significant reason for our nation’s obesity epidemic. Meanwhile, prices for fruits and vegetables — grown with little government support — have steadily increased.
Actually, the title of the 14-page document tells it all: "Food Without Thought: How U.S. Farm Policy Contributes to Obesity,"
You’ll find some fascinating information in this research paper — which makes sense since the IATP’s goal is to work "globally to promote resilient family farms, communities and ecosystems through research and education, science and technology, and advocacy."
You may be wondering specifically how low corn and soybean prices could play a role in making Americans fat.
Well, because corn and soybeans are priced so "artifically cheap" — as the report puts it — low, this has prompted a surge in production and sales of food substances that are really cheap to produce.
For example, the inexepensively priced high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years — all because of the low price of corn. As you’ve read here recently, increasingly researchers have cited the over-abundance of HFCS in food products and the different way it is processed in our bodies as leading to fat storage.
As for lower-priced soybeans, they’re used to make unhealthy trans fats, which also can be found in many food products. (Though. lately trans fats are used less because of both bad press about its dangers and because of new label regulations as of January, which require that they be identified.)
"Whether by intention or not, current farm policy has directed food industry investment into producing low-cost, processed foods high in added fats and sugars," the report concludes. "These foods are often more available and more affordable than fresher, healthier choices and, not coincidentally, U.S. consumers are now eating many more added sweeteners and oils than is healthy. Our misguided farm policy is making poor eating habits an economically sensible choice in the short term."
"The food industry and consumers are following the distorted market signals driven by our farm policy," said Mark Muller, director of IATP’s Environment and Agriculture Program and co-author of the report.
The sad part is that because prices for HFCS have decreased, heavily processed, fiber-lacking, high-calorie, HFCS-filled foods have become cheap and plentiful. But people have to pay way more for the higher quality, more nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables.
The report also offers some really wonderful, carefully thought-out ideas for a farmer-public healthy policy that’s more equitable. The ideas are coming now in an effort to influence the upcoming federal farm bill, expected in 2007.
For instance, suggestions include:
- "Ensure fair prices for all crops.
- "Encourage school and government procurement policies that favor healthy foods.
- "Develop market incentives for increasing healthy food consumption.
- "Reward farmers for `producing’ health benefits.
- "Develop a common farmer-public health policy platform for the upcoming farm bill.
- "Keep small farmers on the land.
- "Expand funding and research in perennial agriculture.
- "Emphasize the connections between public health, food and farm policy.
- "Support local and regional food systems."