Cheap Calories

            Easy.  Cheap.  Large.  Our food industry is becoming less and less concerned with creating high quality food, and instead they have been concerned with creating the most amount of food for the cheapest prices.  In “Farmer in Chief,” an article in the New York Times by Michael Pollan, Pollan discusses the lack of attention to food policy in history.    He specifically deals with Nixon, but he mentions the necessity of the need for change.  Throughout the years our food industry has changed significantly, and we are at the point where we can no longer just increase or decrease food prices, but instead we have to alter the entire food system.  From using ridiculous amounts of fossil fuels to spending excessive amounts of government funding on health issues our government truly has issues regarding our food system today.  Throughout the years there has been a significant transition from solar energy to fossil energy, but our excessive use of fossil- fuel energy has harmed the environment as well as the well being of our food system.  There has also been a shift from farms to feedlot allowing Americans to buy proteins such as burgers at a ridiculously cheap price, but increasing the pollution into the environment. 

            Pollan argues that in order to improve the food system there are some essential steps that need to be taken.  Starting with our diets and ending with government policies pertaining to food supply, there are many actions we must take to improve the food system.  Rather than rewarding diversity, producers and our government have been discouraging farmers from producing specialty foods and instead encouraging them to produce a lot of cheap food.  This lack of diversity requires the need for more fertilizers and pesticides, negatively affecting our environment.  Pollan makes it clear that in order for the food system and our health to improve, it is a necessity that more farmers are willing to grow food and that we are willing to accept somewhat higher prices.  There has clearly been increased demand for local markets, but as of now the government has no role in the rapid growth of these markets.  As America tries to reconstruct its food systems, it is crucial that all individuals that deal with food for their job such as farmers and even consumers play a role in changing this system. 

            This article brought up the issues our food system has created throughout the years, and the possible long – term solutions for this immense problem.  This problem clearly cannot be fixed by a few changes in government policy, but in my opinion this transformation requires the cooperation of the producers, consumers, and industries.  Less processed and healthier food has the potential to benefit all three of these groups, if the system is changed correctly.  Without the addition of more farmers growing more diverse food, it is impossible for the consumers to expect diverse food in the supermarkets.  Without industries willing to expect to make less of a profit off of their foods, it is impossible for farmers to create food.  Cooperation is the key to success in our food system.  We need to stop thinking solely about cheap calories, and instead think about healthy calories.  With obesity being a major problem in the United States, we need to start to focus more on changing our food system to benefit the people.  It is true that you can get 5 hamburgers for 5 dollars at McDonalds, and probably feel full, but that is not the type of eating that Americans should continue.  Americans need to convert their food system, and they need to start today.

WHY?

Is it really possible to transform our food system after so many years of abusing fossil fuel energy?

What do you think is the best way for the government to approach creating policies for the local food markets to decrease the prices to make the food more affordable for the lower class citizens?