"We've made the unhealthy choice the rational choice," said Merrick Weaver, who, as executive director of Partnership for Healthy Communities, works to improve nutrition among lower-income families in Commerce City....In short, "You can buy more calories for your dollar if you buy bad foods," Weaver said.
Between 1995 and 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture handed out $245 billion in subsidies to farmers...the payments come through a variety of programs that insure against catastrophic weather, set price floors and offer incentives for growing certain crops — and not growing others....And the fruit and vegetable growers?..."They don't get direct subsidies," said David DeGennaro, legislative and policy analyst for the Environmental Working Group...."It's always been that way, ever since the subsidies structure took shape in the '30s and '40s," DeGennaro said.
- ...fruit- and vegetable-growers — who are eligible for some, but not all, USDA programs — haven't so much missed out as they haven't asked to participate....Fruit and vegetable producers aren't unified the way corn growers are, and some even view other produce growers as competition, DeGennaro said.
If all 309 million Americans suddenly decided to live by [USDA nutritional recommendations], we'd quickly run out of fruits and vegetables..."the U.S. food system supplies 24 percent fewer servings per person than the five daily vegetable servings recommended for a standard 2,000 calorie diet."
If Americans suddenly started gobbling twice as many fruits and vegetables, "growers wouldn't ignore that. They'd plow up what they have and plant more tomatoes, and spinach, etc.", however; if growers of wheat or corn who get subsidies suddenly switched to zucchini or lettuce, they would face financial penalty, under current subsidy rules.
So if that's the problem, the "answer" to be healthy is to be creative and savvy with your food budgets:
- Have a plan to use fruits FIRST vs. buying fruits and then figuring out what to do with them when you get home. Have a plan and places like Costco can save you money when you buy in bulk (i.e. purchasing 8 pints of strawberries for $6 in Costco vs. $3 to $4/pint!!!)
- Purchase fruits and vegetables on sale in your local markets and cook them immediately / package them as soon as you get home for use the next day.
- Vegetables that freeze well for me are dense vegetables, such as Broccoli, Cauliflower, and diced Bell Peppers, Carrots. Or, purchasing frozen vegetables can be a cost savings alternative, such as peas, corn, broccoli. NOTE: Fresh is better than Frozen, but if Fresh is too expensive, go for it with the frozen.
- Strawberries, blueberries,
and pineapple freeze very well. Besides, they make great snacks on a hot day or are perfect fillers for smoothies (strawberry, blueberry, soy milk and vanilla protein powder of your choice - INSTANT BREAKFAST!) - Grocery stores now sell packages of spinach which can go a long way to adding healthy nutrients instantly (Trader Joe's sells a package $2.00 that has 8 servings of spinach). Spinach is more versatile than lettuce because you can eat them raw in a salad, or add them to a saute' dish at the last minute for vibrant color and vitamins.
- Zucchini is a very versatile dish and works great in Italian and French and
Greek dishes. A great dish is to cut zucchini into "penne shapes" and saute with dried organo and olive oil and penne pasta is a hearty dish that goes a very long way while getting your serving of vegetables - a 10 inch by 1 inch diameter zucchini is equal to 2 servings of vegetables. Asian markets sell a package of 6 for about $2.00 and Trader Joes sells a package of 4 to 5 organic zucchini for about $2.50. - Melons are great ways to purchase value sized fruits. If you seed and peel the melons yourself, one large melon can provide up to 12 servings of fruits. Purchase your melons at Costco or your favorite market - get the most dense melon for its size.
- And if you can get to a farmer's market, you money can go a long way whe
n you purchase fruits and vegetables that are in season (purchase 3 extra large leeks for $4 vs. 2 small leeks for $2 in the stores). Know what fruits and vegetables are in season in your area and plan your meals around that produce to get the most bang for your dollar!
