Economic inequality can be manifested in various ways such as the differences in clothing, cars, and housing between the haves and the have nots; these distinctions even apply to the choices (or lack there of) that people make about food. Many of us take for granted that we can put whatever we’d like in the shopping cart – within reason. Usually what determines our choices are based on concerns related to nutrition and vanity (i.e. I don’t wanna get fat) and occasionally perhaps it might be financially based (i.e. I love cherries but I will forgo them at $4.99/Ib). On a personally level, I would estimate that only 10% of the selection in the produce section is cost prohibitive for myself and as for dairy or meat, especially cheese, it’s more like around 20%. Middle class shoppers might disregard such decisions are simply the proper actions of a conscientious spender, and may even attribute it to one’s thriftiness or discipline – which is a good thing right?
But for the 2.7 million Canadians1 who are experiencing food insecurity, it’s not just about forgoing the cherries or the avocadoes or the brie. It’s the actual lack of means to buy dozens and dozens of different fruit, vegetables, meat and unprocessed foods, which are necessary for providing their families with well-rounded, healthy meals. The household food budget is the first thing to get cut, as its more elastic then rent, utilities, and transportation.
I’m currently writing a paper on the issue of food security for low-income households, and as I grapple with this issue, I realize that the root causes are diverse and huge and extends far beyond the control of municipalities, provinces and countries.
Questions questions questions
Why is fresh produce so expensive, while mac and cheese, and pizza pockets so cheap? Didn’t more ingredients, labour, energy, and transportation go into these highly processed foods as compared to the former?
Are major grocers subsidizing processed food products by passing the cost unto fresh produce? (YES, that’s actually what they do)
Were major grocers one of the industries that experienced growth during the recession? 2, 3 (YES, they were; and they’re embarrassed to talk about it)
Are food banks simultaneously helping the poor but making the situation worst? (YES, the presence of food banks allows governments to slack off in addressing the root causes of food insecurity, such as the deterioration of the social welfare system, and employment policies. BTW, only ~30% of food insecure individuals even use the food bank4 because there is such a heavy social stigma attached to it).
At the end of the day, how far in a civilized society should we go with the commodification of food? Should we simply say to our fellow men and women, as with everything else in a market economy, “you only deserve to eat as much or well as your ability to sell your skills in the labour market”? I am not advocating for absolute food equality. I’m just questioning the trajectory of our path; and concerned that eventually all of us will feel the bangs of an unregulated, globalized food system in our stomach. What if the rise in food insecurity among low-income individuals is just the canary in the mine…
References
1. Health Canada. (2004). Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2, Nutrition (2004)—Income-Related Household Food Security in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Health Canada.
2. Marowits, R. (2009 September 11). Empire Company Ltd. profit rises on strength of Sobeys grocery chain. The Canadian Press. Retrieved November 24, 2009, from http://www.canadaeast.com/search/article/788724
3. (2009 May 6). Grocery store chain bags 73% profit jump. The Star: Toronto Edition. Retrieved November 24, 2009, from http://www.thestar.com/business/article/629576
4. McIntyre, K. (2003). Food Security: More than a determinant of health. Policy Options, March 2003, 46-51. Retrieved November 22, 2009, from www.irpp.org/po/archive/mar03/mcintyre.pdf
2 comments:
Did you just post your paper on your blog?
Nope, the paper is about 10 times longer and has way more numbers :)
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