February 4, 2007
Living Food: Healthy reform

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial Board

President Bush wants modest cuts in direct subsidies paid to farmers and an end to payments to some of the wealthiest farmers. That would be a start toward the sweeping changes Congress ought to make in a system for overfeeding Americans unhealthy foods, overusing oil and degrading soils, water and wildlife.

The federal Farm Bill, due for congressional reauthorization this year, cries out for dramatic departures. Given the political power of the Midwestern farm states, a turn toward sustainability, fairness to the vanishing small farmer and health for the public may be difficult.

One challenge is getting the attention of more U.S. senators and representatives to policies traditionally left to Corn Belt congressional blocs. In this state, the strength of the agriculture sector, always first or second in total economic output in Washington, brings at least some attention.

Political leaders here would be wise to consider urban residents' increasing interest in food issues. At least 17 state organizations joined groups from around the country last month in calling for a more balanced Farm Bill. Among the groups are the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network, the Cascade Harvest Coalition and PCC Natural Markets. They support promising proposals that encompass encouragement for new farmers, creation of more farmers markets and more emphasis on healthy, locally grown foods.

The interest among Western Washington residents springs from a variety of concerns. Support for local food has come to encompass a host of possible benefits: better economic returns for local farmers, fresher foods and foods grown in ways that minimize energy uses.

As author Michael Pollan and others have shown, farm subsidies have helped make foods tied to obesity, diabetes and other health problems the most affordable for low-income families. A Seattle P-I report last week examined the difficulties of trying to maintain good nutrition on a budget, sometimes even when carefully following the best federal advice. Farm subsidies also create market distortions, especially harmful when they undercut developing countries' farmers.

Pouring good money into bad food isn't working. Limiting and redirecting farm subsidies is only a start toward a bill that can bring out the best in farmers, the land and the food we eat.

On the Net: www.farmandfoodproject.org