Economics Of Food Justice Essay

Ravi Lamba
Professor Oropeza
ENG 110
19th October 2015 Economics of Food Justice

A farmer’s financial position is not considered enough to survive in the rising cost of living prices. To provide their families nourishment, and keep the farm activities operating, they end up living a very frugal lifestyle. These conditions come from the low wages they receive after the crop is sold and due to the system of the industry; they are powerless to adjust those occurrences. Apart from low wages, the problems farmers face are forced labor and unfair working conditions. Slavery in the 1800’s forced many blacks to work endlessly and were commonly victims of domestic violence. Amongst these black slaves, a majority of them consisted of the farmer

Due to the range in prices, it makes it accessible for working class families to afford the food they desire. Local stores support the use of pesticides and GMO’s therefore their prices vary from processed goods to organic goods, and the price difference is enormous. The excessive use of pests in the farms makes the food unhealthy and rich in Calories from Fat and usually the prices for these goods are low, making them the top selling products. For example, a packet of chicken breasts usually costs around $4-5 and the organic ones cost around $8-9, taking this everyday necessity for most families, this $4-5 makes a huge difference in the buying power and the demand for the over processed chicken rise. Another gateway for customers to food is farmers markets, which are known for their healthy produce and higher price. Even though the price comparisons with a grocery store and farmers market are not enormous, customers still prefer the cheaper option. The government allows Farmers markets as they boom up the economy, and it gives farmers an opportunity cost to sell their products directly to the customers, without any commission to the wholesalers, to sell to the retailers and then to the customers. According to Marcel Van Ooyen, “People who support the green markets or farmers market are part of the only 1% who do.” And as farmer markets now allow food stamps, it increases a 40% in the buying power for the customers. (Farmers Markets aren’t enough, Marcel Van Ooyen) Since the growth of fast food in the 1900’s, the demand for raw fruits and vegetables has fallen abundantly. Fast food prices are incomparable to the price of time taken to buy and cook the food at home, and combining the price of the products to the fast food corporations. The most critical decision between fast food and grocery store is