Farm subsidies not in sync with food pyramid

Farm subsidies not in sync with food pyramid
Blank Food Pyramid..

Two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and the government tells them they should eat better.

But it doesn’t put its money where their mouths are.

The government will spend $17 billion subsidizing farmers this year. Rather than focusing on the producers of good-for-you fruits and vegetables — half its subsidies go to grain farmers, whose crops feed animals for meat, milk and eggs and become cheap ingredients in processed food.

“Obesity. That’s clearly the problem, if you look at the outcome in today’s society,” said Andy Fischer, executive director of the Community Food Security Coalition, a Venice, Calif., advocacy group.

Since two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, it’s clear people are getting the calories they need and more. Diet and disease experts say, however, that they’re not getting enough nutrition.

The Agriculture Department published in April its food pyramid, which tells people how, what and how much to eat, with the aim to improve people’s health. It recommends fewer calories and more fruit, vegetables, lowfat milk and whole grains. It tells people to avoid foods made with partially hydrogenated oils and sweeteners.
Blank Food Pyramid...
building-better-food-pyramid