Via Wonk Room: The Michigan Department of Community Health has banned most organic products from their food stamp program, claiming that organics just aren't cost effective. Is that true, or is this just another example of government giving corporate agribusiness a leg up? Diana Jancek, co-founder of Michigan's Sweetwater Local Foods Market, visited a supermarket and marshaled the evidence:
Allowed: Frosted Mini-Wheats (first three ingredients Whole Grain Wheat, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup), 18 oz. — $3.63Not Allowed: Meijer Organic Raisin Brain (all organic, no corn syrup), 17 oz. — $2
Allowed: Jif Peanut Butter (includes partially and fully hydrogenated vegetable fats), 18 oz. — $2.18
Not Allowed: Meijer Organic Peanut Butter, 18 oz. — $2.59
Allowed: Fresh Conventional Carrots, 1 pound — $1.30
Not Allowed: Fresh Organic Carrots, 1 pound — $.99
Allowed: Conventional White Eggs — $1.69
Not Allowed: Conventional Brown Eggs — $1.89
Allowed: V8 Tomato Juice, 46 oz. — $2.79
Not Allowed: Organic Tomato Juice, 46 oz. — $2.99
Of course, allowing consumers to purchase organic or just healthier products with food stamps doesn't mean they will do so. That's why nutritional education should be part of every school curriculum, to get people thinking about the impact of their diet from a young age.
--Dana Goldstein
