Individuals have it good, in a way, in that we spend less than many other first-world nations on food, which is fairly important. Granted, agricultural subsidies do have a fair bit to do with it. Nonetheless, we have also been spending more on junk food than almost any type of food item.
Low expenditures comparatively
In contrast to other developed countries, Individuals spend less money on food yearly. Still, the average American income is $50,000 per year, and that is not quite enough cash to look after a typical family of four with pets.
Compared with other countries, the U.S. is not looking too bad since the typical British family spends 9 percent of the yearly outlay on food and the typical French family will spend 14 percent. Mother Jones points out that Americans only spent six percent of the $32,051 yearly outlay for 2009. That adds up to $6,372 total on food for the year: $3,753 for food in the home and $2,619 for food from the home.
An NPR article points out the reason for this. It said that during the last 30 years, American food costs have been dropping.
Reason behind Michelle's campaign
In 1982, the average household spent 13 percent of the annual outlay on food, which means we are really doing better now. This is regardless of the truth that the amount spent has increased to about 8 percent now, according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Food prices have actually decreased a lot in that time. In fact, no meats went up in price. Steak costs dropped from $7 a pound to $4.90 a pound from 1982 to 2012. Grapefruit costs increased 6.5 percent and bell pepper prices increased 34 percent. Other than that, no other vegetables and fruit increased in price.
What some may view as troublesome is how much is spent on what type of food. Meats declined from 31.3 percent of food expenditures in 1982 to 21.5 percent of expenditures in 2012. Vegetables and fruit stayed broadly the same at 14.5 percent in 1982 and 14.6 percent in 2012. However, processed foods and sweets doubled from 11.6 percent in 1982 to 22.9 percent in 2012. The First Lady might be criticized for advocating feeding kids more vegetables and fruit, but she could be on to something.
Looking at the subsidies
According to Mother Jones, part of the reason we pay less for groceries is decades of farming subsidies, which amounted to $261.9 billion from 1995 to 2010. Since 1970, the amount of corn produced in America has gone tripled, increasing from 4 billion bushels to 12 billion last year.
The price of meat went up 8 percent in 2011, and the price of grain doubled. This just shows that prices are beginning to go up, according to Forbes.
The low prices also don't benefit the farmer much. Besides not much cash in nominal terms, the Department of Agriculture estimates 15.8 percent of revenue from selling food goes to the entity that produced it, according to a post on The Daily Green.
Low expenditures comparatively
In contrast to other developed countries, Individuals spend less money on food yearly. Still, the average American income is $50,000 per year, and that is not quite enough cash to look after a typical family of four with pets.
Compared with other countries, the U.S. is not looking too bad since the typical British family spends 9 percent of the yearly outlay on food and the typical French family will spend 14 percent. Mother Jones points out that Americans only spent six percent of the $32,051 yearly outlay for 2009. That adds up to $6,372 total on food for the year: $3,753 for food in the home and $2,619 for food from the home.
An NPR article points out the reason for this. It said that during the last 30 years, American food costs have been dropping.
Reason behind Michelle's campaign
In 1982, the average household spent 13 percent of the annual outlay on food, which means we are really doing better now. This is regardless of the truth that the amount spent has increased to about 8 percent now, according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Food prices have actually decreased a lot in that time. In fact, no meats went up in price. Steak costs dropped from $7 a pound to $4.90 a pound from 1982 to 2012. Grapefruit costs increased 6.5 percent and bell pepper prices increased 34 percent. Other than that, no other vegetables and fruit increased in price.
What some may view as troublesome is how much is spent on what type of food. Meats declined from 31.3 percent of food expenditures in 1982 to 21.5 percent of expenditures in 2012. Vegetables and fruit stayed broadly the same at 14.5 percent in 1982 and 14.6 percent in 2012. However, processed foods and sweets doubled from 11.6 percent in 1982 to 22.9 percent in 2012. The First Lady might be criticized for advocating feeding kids more vegetables and fruit, but she could be on to something.
Looking at the subsidies
According to Mother Jones, part of the reason we pay less for groceries is decades of farming subsidies, which amounted to $261.9 billion from 1995 to 2010. Since 1970, the amount of corn produced in America has gone tripled, increasing from 4 billion bushels to 12 billion last year.
The price of meat went up 8 percent in 2011, and the price of grain doubled. This just shows that prices are beginning to go up, according to Forbes.
The low prices also don't benefit the farmer much. Besides not much cash in nominal terms, the Department of Agriculture estimates 15.8 percent of revenue from selling food goes to the entity that produced it, according to a post on The Daily Green.
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