In the Bittman and Waters articles, they touch upon the topics of taxing and school food programs. Bittman talks about how the federal government plays a big role in America's eating habits. He states that they should work to tax unhealthy products like soda and french fries for example to make healthier foods like your normal fruits and vegetables more affordable and accessible. I 100% agree with what his article says. It's obvious to see that low income families are not financially capable of sustaining and buying healthy foods, this in turn makes them go to the cheap crappy foods that are available and convenient for their budget. It's a simple but grueling process, but it would definitely be beneficial in the end to simply switch the tax tables. For Waters in her article, she explores the government giving schools money for the National School Lunch Program. She argues that the investment does little to no help when it comes to helping low income students and students in general. She calls the whole program a "bigger junk food system". It is true because most of the items given in the school lunch is just cheaper food of the original food itself, to add to that they are all some microwave ready products or wrapped products. The investment of this whole program was $9 billion. It would cost more to feed all kids across America a whole meal, but long term it could be helpful in perspective of health and eating habits for the kids. The United States Department of Agriculture would also have to play a role and revert back to healthier ways of procuring their foods rather than your normal industry processed foods. I see eye to eye with this but it would be very difficult considering the blind eating habits of kids nowadays. So the government can do their part and the schools, but it would depend on the students consuming these school lunches too.
Topic: Vacant lots transformed into gardens
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/02/local/la-me-urban-agriculture-law-20131003
Your topic is great, talking about the problem and what we can do create a solution ! I do however like the part where you added kids to take a stand a little more than the other solutions hehe..
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that a large part of eating healthy comes from the consumer's efforts. The government can only do so much to prevent citizens from eating unhealthy foods, so people need to have the power to control what they eat. However, looking at the issue from today's concerns, it doesn't seem like the FDA is doing much to prevent consumers from eating dangerous foods. The current food industry has reached a point where associations such as the FDA are no longer fully trustworthy, so consumers must be on the lookout for unhealthy foods on their own.
ReplyDeleteTurning the tax tables as you said would be beneficial not only to our public health but to those lower income families. When the unhealthy food costs less then they have no choice but to buy that food. If fruits and vegetables are more affordable then that could help so many low income families. I also understand what you mean about student's eating habits. At the end of the day it is up to us on how we will choose to eat. The government plays a big role but at the same time we are our own people and we make the choices for ourselves.
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