Why Michael Pollan and Alice Waters should quit celebrating food-price hikes

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On 4/8/08, cyndikrall <cyndikrall wrote:

 

http://www.grist.org/comments/food/2008/04/04/index.html

 

 

Interesting article and for many, especially those without access to good markets, CSAs or farmer's markets I bet fast food dollar menu purchases and consequent health problems will increase. And probably so will research into creating more 'healthy' food additives.

 

It is possible to eat frugally and organically, but it takes a lot of work, time and planning; not to mention access to fresh foods, and a major shift of habits.

 

Bulk dry beans and grains, even organic, home baked bread and cereals are all great values, but require extra planning and cooking time.

 

Even conventional vegetables are expensive when fresh. I'll grow most of mine this year, and that saves grocery money, but gardening isn't free. I have to pay for hoses, seeds, plants, tools, water*, organic fertilizers and remedies. If you don't have the land, you need access to a community garden. I don't have to pay for my time-I garden because I enjoy it, but if I put a price on my time, my food budget would be out the roof. Still, most of my garden costs are 'hidden'. Time spent gardening is time (and money) not spent on movies, travel, eating out, games and so on.

 

*actually I don't pay any more for water than I would if the space were put into monoculture grass lawn.

 

I buy expensive organic meat, but only use it 3 or 4 times a week in small amounts as part of a stir fry or pasta dish. I get most of my protein from economical beans and eggs. I have access to friends' free range eggs for half what I'd pay at the store.

 

so, yes, you can eat organically cheaply, but the trade off is time. If you haven't got the time, the interest, the skills or the access it's going to stay expensive in the short term. Long term savings in health care costs and lifespan are hard to think of when the budget and time is tight right now.

 

Happily I have the time, skills, interest and access. I would bet that most don't.

 

Ellen