I read an article in a national news magazine last night that is begging for
a letter-to-the-editor. The article evaluated the Freedom to Farm act and
associated legislation. The slant was that Americans need cheap food more
than the rural landscape needs viable farms. I have seen many statistical
comparisons between things like:
USA per capita food budget vs. the rest of the world,
Farm gate prices 1900 vs. today adjusted for inflation,
% of retail food dollar going to farmer vs. going to processors,
Estimates of the 'real' cost of food production including all resources and
waste,
How much of the food produced (or imported) is wasted post-harvest vs.
consumed in the USA.
Can anyone help me locate some references like these? I know numbers can
lie. I would simply like to point out to the magazine editor that keeping
supermarket prices in the basement isn't necessarily the best thing for the
economy or for the health of the nation. I could also use some hints on how
to address producer subsidies and their role in regulating commodity prices.
Thanks a bunch. Have a great day.
-Ralph
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