The politics of food is a topic routinely brought up in discussion, particularly in our class which is formatted around this theme; the political implications of how food is grown, farmed, sold, and so on are a hot topic in the literary food world. Although what stands out for me does stem from the political—and thus ethical—implications of food and its ensuing processes, my attention is drawn more to the capital implications of what these processes and discussions have for the general public. The topic of “good food” seems to be in discussion by the “experts” through various forms of media. These “experts” define what is healthy and what is not, and outline what should be the eating habits of the general public. This is all fine and dandy however, I find the capital implications of “good food” reinforce a hierarchy between classes and restrict some while catering to others—the middle to upper class.
Our class discusses organics and genetically modified foods and the ethical and political consequences of these food processes, some argue organic food is the way to go and the health benefits are such that it would be ridiculous to ignore the benefits of eating organic. Many of the same people among others also condemn genetic modification and the scientifically tainted status of such foods. Again, I am currently undecided as to which route I would prefer to take, although it seems most reasonable to take the “healthiest” route via organic foods.
Assuming I adapt this viewpoint, and my next step is to begin my organic lifestyle; I would go out and buy a bunch of organic food products from a reliable grocery store labelling certain products as such. I go onto http://www.safeway.ca and look under the tab “O Organics”. On the opening page it reads:
“Taste food the way it should be with O Organics. An extraordinary line of organic food from juices to pastas and everything in between. Every O Organics item is certified organically grown and processed, which means they come only from the purest source.
Treat yourself to the unique experience of real food. Only from O Organics. “
Well who wouldn’t want to indulge? Pure, real food? I’m there! I go into the store and then I look at the price tag. Organic Heinz ketchup is $4.67 per 15 oz bottle, plus tax. Two shelves below I see regular Heinz ketchup, also in a 15 oz bottle that is listed as $3.32 per bottle. At first glance, the difference of $1.35 is not a lot, but if all my groceries were to be replaced with the organic counterpart, there is potentially a large amount of monetary difference.
After thinking about it for a while, it is brought to my awareness that perhaps Organic food is the food of the rich. Those who have the money to make the change and who can afford to continue to purchase these “pure” foods, benefit. This is a very dangerous state of affairs that comes with many consequences. If the members of the middle to upper-class are the ones with access to such foods, the “working/lower class” are stuck in a financially limiting place where they cannot afford to benefit from “good food”. Cheap and fast forms of food consumption are the most appealing and realistic for this group of people who simply cannot afford to make the change.
It even goes beyond financial opportunity and food, the capital connotations of “free time” and time’s tie to food must be mentioned. A single mother working two jobs to support her children may not have time to prepare foods from scratch let alone incorporate organic food into a meal. The preparation of meals is a form of capital benefit and fast, unhealthy, alternatives become the only option. Going one step further even, the health outcomes of this limiting access to food reinforces a system where the rich benefit with better health and perhaps even more complete biological development for children in these families. This idea of “good food” then means more than just a potential healthy living choice, I see it as a huge moral issue.
In the end, without scientific research into specific health benefits of organic versus non organic food, I cannot make an informed decision as to what I would choose for myself. However I do know the cost of going organic is incredibly unrealistic for me in my financial situation, both in terms of income and time. I am not sure what changes can be made to accommodate for this and make organic food more accessible to everyone. Perhaps not only making prices of organics comparable but also having more quick organic meal options available to the general public to be taken on by major fast food chains could help. I understand this is a huge and unlikely change but at this point I don’t see how organic food can be made entirely accessible without drastic change.
-Fiona Buchanan
Hey Fiona! Great job…very interesting entry I never really thought about organic food in that way, I try and buy organic when I can but it is definately a lot more expensive than the alternative. I wonder what they could do to fix that.
I have to agree with you. The lower / working class people have to submit to the connotations of what is acceptable due to lack of monetary implementation.
I decided to do a study about this very topic at one point in my life just to make a point. I went to my local Burger King, I sat at a booth ordered a chicken burger meal and sat waiting… watching… just studying the types of people that come into the burger shack. I do have to admit of the 6 hours I sat there I did witness 6 or 7 higher class people using this method of sustance. But they were the pickiest people. No ketchup, easy on the mayo, no onions, etc.
What is this world coming to when you have to be wealthy to be healthy. Supply and demand is all we have to thank for this repetitive attack on the lower working class. It seems when something comes to better wellbeing and health that it turns into a political argument. For example, I remember when health “experts” as you called them started talking on tv and in newspapers and magazines that carbs were horrible for you and that sugars made you fat. Although wihtout understanding the basics of general nutrition most people tried to cut down on the carbs and sugars and trans fats, the prices for reduced sugar and carbs products has increased above the regular cost of full flavor products as I like to call them. Why are we paying more for the same product with less ingredients? Isn’t this a payoff for the company? Saving 25% salt on a box of crackers when the company sells 12,000 boxes in a day nation wide thats an extra 25% increase in markup at the same price. you save 25% inventory for product manufacture. I know this seems retarded to say but its true. or on the other side of the argument why are we paying more for the same product with extra ingredients that are less healthy than a little bit of sugar? (ex: Aspartame!) A leading testing process has shown that Aspartame causes cellular difficiencies leading to cancer.
Just my two cents.
Drew
i just loved this article! and you are right… what has the world come to? i am just glad there are people like you out there to spread the word!
thank for all you’ve done,
Lauren