Tabitha Woodruff
Ohio PIRG
Columbus, OH – Federal subsidies for commodity crops are subsidizing junk food additives like high-fructose corn syrup, at a rate that would buy 20 Twinkies for each taxpayer every year, according to Ohio PIRG’s new report, “Apples to Twinkies 2013.” Meanwhile, limited subsidies for fresh fruits and vegetables would buy one half of an apple per taxpayer. These subsidies are part of the Farm Bill that expires in September. Both the Farm Bill approved by the U.S. Senate and the one that passed the House last Thursday would continue these subsidies.
“Our food policy has become so distorted that we’re actually using tax dollars to subsidize junk food, but this problem has been ignored in the debate over the Farm Bill. Congress needs to either make serious changes to this legislation or reject it entirely,” said Tabitha Woodruff, Ohio PIRG Advocate.
Between 1995 and 2012, American taxpayers spent more than $290 billion in agricultural subsidies. The payments are highly concentrated, with 75 percent of the subsidies going to just 3.8 percent of farmers. And they mainly support just a few commodity crops, like corn and soybeans. Among other uses, food manufacturers process corn and soy crops into additives like high-fructose corn syrup and vegetable oils that provide a cheap dose of sweetness and fat to a wide variety of junk food products.
“At a time when childhood obesity rates are sky-high, it’s absurd that we’re spending even one cent of taxpayer money on junk food, let alone billions,” added Woodruff. “With the Farm Bill before Congress, it’s time to end this waste.”
Among the report’s key findings:
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Ohio PIRG the Ohio Public Interest Research Group, stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. Visit us at www.ohiopirg.org.