Why high food prices are good for the poor.

[OldWiseGuy]

The more food costs the more opportunity for saving, by reducing food costs. Sounds counterintuitive, but as the high cost of food (as calculated by gov't agencies) is incorporated into family food budgets the opportunity to save increases. This is because the actual cost of nutritious food is much lower than the government guidelines indicate. Therefore by adopting a sensible diet low income families can actually benefit by having extra money in their budget for other needs.

Put another way, if one's wages are based on the cost of food being $200 per month and you only spend $150 per month you have $50 per month to save or spend elsewhere. For a family of four the potential for saving on food cost is substantial, while still enjoying quality food.

Additionally, while SNAP is intended to be a supplemental program the benefits are actually wholly sufficient to provide 100 percent the nutrition needs of it's participants. So poor families can enjoy healthful meals at no cost to themselves.

 

[Halbhh]

Sounds counterintuitive,

Forgive me, but that is because, in this case, the idea isn't quite correct, even with the good bulk/unprocessed foods idea you point to, because bulk/unprocessed food prices will be rising also. Please forgive me for being the one to point it out. Now maybe you kinda meant a different thing: they will be forced to adopt to better foods. That would be great, sure, but...well...seeing undernourished people buying junk foods suggests to me the main cause of eating better food is rarely for money/budget reasons (or only sometimes). Too many would just continue buying less good foods, and less of it, and going to charity food pantries. Instead, people only adopt to better foods if a person becomes smarter about nutrition.

Still, you got a key helpful thing -- nutritious bulk/unprocessed foods would indeed be a good thing for any family, anytime, anywhere, under any conditions, rich or poor, to adopt more, buy more. That part is certainly right! Even if those bulk food prices rise because food costs go up. So, you've got really good advice in that part.

 

[timewerx]

The more food costs the more opportunity for saving, by reducing food costs. Sounds counterintuitive

Define poor?

Here in my poor 3rd world country, there's plenty skipping meals because they can no longer afford to have 3 meals a day. Many are underweight, suffering from malnutrition.

Do you think it's a good idea to increase food price here?

 

[timewerx]

I think the scope of this concept only possibly applies to USA.

But I doubt it would apply even to everyone in USA.

Consider the homeless, the poorest. They can barely afford complete meals already

 

[timewerx]

I have a better idea.

Increase the price of food.....Probably through tax....

And then use that tax for funding humanitarian causes to help the poorest in the country / homeless both locally and internationally....

How's that sounds?? Great idea???

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I have a better idea.

Increase the price of food.....Probably through tax....

And then use that tax for funding humanitarian causes to help the poorest in the country / homeless both locally and internationally....

How's that sounds?? Great idea???

A bit too socialistic.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Define poor?

Here in my poor 3rd world country, there's plenty skipping meals because they can no longer afford to have 3 meals a day. Many are underweight, suffering from malnutrition.

Do you think it's a good idea to increase food price here?

The third world probably needs better education (especially for birth control). Give them bibles; have them turn to Proverbs 24:27

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I think the scope of this concept only possibly applies to USA.

But I doubt it would apply even to everyone in USA.

Consider the homeless, the poorest. They can barely afford complete meals already

Obesity is rampant among the poor. No lack of nutrition there.

 

[timewerx]

A bit too socialistic.

I don't see any socialism there.

This is socialism

Why does many Christians seem to villify a bit of generosity as some kind of utter evil?

 

[public hermit]

Do you think raising hospital bills and the price of drugs will result in healthier people? Of course you don't. You live in America where expensive health care and poor health go together like peas and carrots. You argument amounts to the same kind of nonsense.

 

[timewerx]

Obesity is rampant among the poor. No lack of nutrition there.

I don't see how someone who is too poor to afford to buy enough food for daily needs become obese.

That's why I asked define poor.

I live in a 3rd world country and food price fluctuation is a real problem here. And they do fluctuate significantly due to many factors.

Here, higher price means skipping meals for the poor.

 

[timewerx]

Do you think raising hospital bills and the price of drugs will result in healthier people? Of course you don't. You live in America where expensive health care and poor health go together like peas and carrots.

Ironically, here in my 3rd world country, the price of medicines is even higher than in USA!

The cost of healthcare is also absurdly high for a 3rd world country.

So despite our USA-level medical expertise and capability (for many modern hospitals), mortality remains high and average lifespans remain low.

Because only few can afford the very expensive medicines and healthcare.

 

[public hermit]

Ironically, here in my 3rd world country

I think the image of poverty we have in the States is a bit skewed. I've been broke, but I've never been in want for long.

Why does many Christians seem to villify a bit of generosity as some kind of utter evil?

I wish I had a answer. I don't believe there is a good one. There is a long history of fear in the States when it comes to socialism. There is some irony, too. People screamed "Socialism!' when the Social Security Act was coming into being. Now, conservatives are some of its biggest defenders. We will pool our money together for a common fire department, common police force, common roads, etc. But try to pool some money together for health care or to help those in a financial strait and people cry "Evil! Socialism!"

Many people can't seem to differentiate between socialism and communism. It's like saying all Christians are the same, haha. But, with our sub-par education system ignorance is bliss.

And I think part of it is simple greed. Greed coupled with an inordinate worship of individualism. At any rate, it's strange to see Christians begrudge helping others. Very un-Jesusy.

 

[chevyontheriver]

The more food costs the more opportunity for saving, by reducing food costs. Sounds counterintuitive, but as the high cost of food (as calculated by gov't agencies) is incorporated into family food budgets the opportunity to save increases. This is because the actual cost of nutritious food is much lower than the government guidelines indicate. Therefore by adopting a sensible diet low income families can actually benefit by having extra money in their budget for other needs.

Put another way, if one's wages are based on the cost of food being $200 per month and you only spend $150 per month you have $50 per month to save or spend elsewhere. For a family of four the potential for saving on food cost is substantial, while still enjoying quality food.

Additionally, while SNAP is intended to be a supplemental program the benefits are actually wholly sufficient to provide 100 percent the nutrition needs of it's participants. So poor families can enjoy healthful meals at no cost to themselves.

Raising the price of food will not assist the working poor, those who pay their own way without the benefit of government assistance.

 

[crazycatlady]

We are vegetarian because meat is sky high (midwest usa). We dont do vegan for the same reason. But on the leaner months, it's things like mac n cheese, ramen, whatever is cheap that lasts. (Still craving so much as a cheap salad for three months now.) Fresh fruit and veg are initially cheaper, until you factor in the shelf life. The cheap stuff still stays edible for much longer. We are really not fans of preservatives, but whatever gets us through until the next paycheck is better than just a few healthy things that will spoil within a week.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Do you think raising hospital bills and the price of drugs will result in healthier people? Of course you don't. You live in America where expensive health care and poor health go together like peas and carrots. You argument amounts to the same kind of nonsense.

Health: Choice
Healthcare costs: No choice

Sorry, no 'peas and carrots'.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I don't see how someone who is too poor to afford to buy enough food for daily needs become obese.

That's why I asked define poor.

I live in a 3rd world country and food price fluctuation is a real problem here. And they do fluctuate significantly due to many factors.

Here, higher price means skipping meals for the poor.

I addressed that.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Why does many Christians seem to villify a bit of generosity as some kind of utter evil?

Christians are quite generous, they just don't want to taken advantage of.

Christian: "I'll give you $100 per month for food."
Poor person: "I need more than that."
Christian: "That's all I spend on myself."

 

[OldWiseGuy]

We are vegetarian because meat is sky high (midwest usa). We dont do vegan for the same reason. But on the leaner months, it's things like mac n cheese, ramen, whatever is cheap that lasts. (Still craving so much as a cheap salad for three months now.) Fresh fruit and veg are initially cheaper, until you factor in the shelf life. The cheap stuff still stays edible for much longer. We are really not fans of preservatives, but whatever gets us through until the next paycheck is better than just a few healthy things that will spoil within a week.

Many foods last for quite a while in the refrigerator. There is really no excuse for food spoiling before it is consumed.

I'm eating an orange that has been in the frig for a month. The skin is bit dry but the inside is still sweet and juicy. Same with grapefruit. Carrots last forever in the frig.

 

[timewerx]

I'm eating an orange that has been in the frig for a month. The skin is bit dry but the inside is still sweet and juicy. Same with grapefruit. Carrots last forever in the frig.

That's quite normal where I live. Everything bought from the wet market or grocery, nothing goes to waste.

In my country, almost half of the population lives below poverty line while in USA, it's only around 10%

It's a fact that we experience significant food price fluctuation as the price is strongly affected by crude oil price. Higher food price means skipping meals for many.

As I've said. The idea doesn't work everywhere. USA =/= world.