A Common Sensical Food Bill?

Thanks to Chuck for pointing out a great article on the Farm Bill in the New York Times that was buried in the Dining In section on the 4th of July edition. The article, entitled "The Debate Over Subsidizing Snacks" , outlines the problems with subsidies in the current Farm Bill and how these subsidies contribute to our national obesity problem by making junk food cheap, and fresh fruit and vegetables expensive. There is actually a chance that a coalition of activists can turn around the Farm Bill (which should really be called the Food Bil!), despite the big money that conventional agriculture lobbyists spend to maintain the status quo subsidies.

The best thing we can all do is be aware of how important this Bill is to our health, keeping family farmers in business, and helping to heal the land that sustains us, and then do what we can to affect positive change.

An entertaining way to educate yourselves on some of these food and farm issues is to read "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan, and watch some great documentary films that are making their way around the country--in addition to "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" featured in my last blog, try to see "King Corn" .