Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Need Funding
by The government hands out huge subsidies to wheat,corn, and soybean farmers. The result being sky high prices for fruits and vegetables which are our most healthy low-calorie foods.
Every year congress makes a fan-fare about providing millions of dollars to farmers but the kick is that this subsidy generally goes to wheat, corn, and other commodity crops. This time those in the know say fruit and vegetable farms are likely to receive several billion dollars in indirect aid. Some of this going into the school snack program which will certainly result in healthier, better fed children. It would be a coup for the schools plus the vegetable and fruit industry.
Image via Wikipedia
Vegetables and fruits farmers receive almost no help from the government while corn, soybeans, and wheat growers are heavily subsidized, although they grow a smaller portion of produce over all and bring in less money.
A university of Washington study found that the price of fruits and vegetables have jumped nearly 25 percent in the last couple of years while the price of heavy calorie foods have dropped in price, making unhealthy food even more inviting to the public. These problems are cause to close the gap of disparity in funding. Healthy low calorie food should be within everyones reach.
Image by fredpanassac via Flickr
Another reason for government funding to fruit and vegetable farmers is the infestation of a new pest, the brown moth, which came in from Australia and has infiltrated Sonoma County, located in California, they grow some of the worlds best grapes. The brown moth will cost millions of dollars in damages to everything from grapes and oranges to avocados, and expenditures to eradicate them will mean millions more.
Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr
The Florida department of Agriculture reports “Our office gets at least one complaint of a new pest or disease of significant concern ever month. States have received modest help from the government for test crops, marketing, and technology while huge subsidies have been allotted to grain growers. ” We’re seeing double, triple the rate of pests,”says California Rep. Dennis Cardoza. “to tackle these problems, it’s got to be the federal government doing the research.”
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Post CommentChristine Ramsay
On May 6, 2009 at 5:21 am
The farmers could certainly do with the subsidy as fruit and veg are a must for a healthy nation. A good article.
Christine
Joe Dorish
On May 6, 2009 at 6:29 am
Wish the government would just end farm subsidies. At least until there are no more starving people in the world.
NA Staffieri
On May 6, 2009 at 6:38 am
I hate subsidies. Once handed out, the receiving entity begins to rely on it to sustain business. In my opinion, it’s not a good business practice.
Fruits and vegetables are still very affordable here in my area.
hfj
On May 6, 2009 at 9:28 am
Nice informative article Ruby. It’s hard to understand our goverments reasoning behind some of their decisions. I think it might have something to do with lobbying. You scratch my back, and i’ll scratch yours. Well done.
Mark Gordon Brown
On May 6, 2009 at 9:41 am
Pity that any one needs subsidies.
My solution is to grow some of my own food.
Brenda Nelson
On May 6, 2009 at 9:47 am
I personally dont think the auto industry or many others needed a “bail out” or funding.. people can live without cars.. if all the employees who worked in the auto industry (including the CEO’s) took a pay cut, cars would be more affordable and more would sell… nowever the people we depend on most (FARMERS) are suffering.
OhSugar
On May 6, 2009 at 10:39 am
I think the government should be fair when subsiding funds to the farmers. Fruits and vegetables are just as important in our diet and any other produce farmer produce.
QuinMonty86
On May 6, 2009 at 11:37 am
very informative article. When it comes to our government, nothing surprises me.
kate smedley
On May 6, 2009 at 11:58 am
I didn’t know much about this Ruby, thanks for an informative article.
DA Cournean
On May 6, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Too much government control!
CHAN LEE PENG
On May 6, 2009 at 7:46 pm
It’s true. With funding, it can reduce the burden of the farmers, and at the same time, lower the cost of the crop yields, which translates into cheaper price that consumer will have to pay.
Ruby Hawk
On May 6, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all grow our own food? But those days have gone when so many of us could do that. We have to rely on farmers and we should have a level playing field for grain and vegetable farmers. If subsidies must be handed out then do it fairly. Don’t have one living in high cotton and the other struggleing. Besides we have to eat something besides bread products. Thanks to all my friends who have left comments. I love seeing a variety of opinions.We are an opinionated bunch and that’s as it should be.
Caroline1957
On May 6, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Yes we should try to grow some vegetables and fruit and share it with friends and neighbours.
Jo Oliver
On May 6, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Wonderful read. Agreed.
Daisy Peasblossom
On May 6, 2009 at 10:30 pm
It can be hard to grow stuff in cities. But if you have any lawn at all, a small part of it can be used to grow salad stuff. It may not seem like much, but when I saw a bag of lettuce priced at nearly $4.00, my little patch became a lot more valuable to me in a hurry!
Anne McNew
On May 7, 2009 at 12:29 am
I even wonder why the government do not put on more subsidy or budget to the agriculture sector that in fact, even them; the legislators and the executives eat products from the agriculture. this has to be addressed or else one day, there would be no more healthy food to put on the table except metals of gunfire ammos. and that is weird.
Peter Cimino
On May 7, 2009 at 10:19 am
What a very informative and timely article. Well reearched and well presented. Thank you.
Lex92
On May 7, 2009 at 3:30 pm
well… they already pay farmers not to farm so… i have mixed feelings about this… very informative!
Melody SJAL
On May 8, 2009 at 3:36 am
Very interesting and informative. Budget for agriculture should be given more consideration.
CutestPrincess
On May 27, 2009 at 10:55 am
the government should give them special attentions…