What happens to eating habits in the face of unemployment? Nothing good, according to a new working paper by Dhaval M. Dave and Inas Rashad Kelly. The authors found that “a higher risk of unemployment is associated with reduced consumption of fruits and vegetables … Specifically, among those who are predicted to be at the highest risk of unemployment, a one percentage point increase in the resident state’s unemployment rate is associated with a 2-4% reduction in the frequency of fruits and vegetables consumption, and an 8% reduction in the consumption of salad.” The authors suggest income and adverse mental health are to blame for the substitution — and recommend “income-support programs, counseling, and access to mental health services.” [%comments]
Should the Unemployed Also Get Vegetable Aid?
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No need to worry, just follow around a wealthy person eating an apple, and hope they leave a few bites when they throw away the core. I believe the GOP calls this trickle-down economics.
I think there’s a comfort food and boredom eating aspects, but there’s a somewhat hidden economic factor here — the huge subsidies paid to commodity farmers. Those processed foods are high in corn, wheat and soy ingredients, meaning taxpayers foot part of the bill for junk food and 99 cent fast food burgers.
It’s food stamps by another name and without the potential for recipients to make healthy choices.
You can keep throwing money at some people but any aid isn’t going to be beneficial if they are not educated as to why they should receive it. They will just receive it and treat it as “something to munch on” so they won’t starve… some of the lower, lower class are basically barbarians.
Here in Southern California, farmers have collaborated to bring fresh organic seasonal fruits and vegetables year round to subscribers.
They deliver to a central location each week. Since we’re in a rural area about 30 miles from the delivery location, we rotate crate pick-up duty with others.
If we have reason to “go into town” we’ll offer to pick up for the others. If not, they’ll pick up our crate in the rotation.
The crates are delivered (large sized for families of four or more) at under $30 and the small-sized for couples and singles at $22
Since we started this six months ago, we have saved hundreds of dollars eating in-season organic produce while reducing trips to the grocery store.
With California being one of the states with the highest unemployment, this program saves money for subscribers who eat wholesome foods (instead of processed).
Bottom Line: We feel better!
The organization we use: AbundantHarvestOrganics.com
BrendaAvadian, MA
TheCaregiversVoice.com
Fast foods (i.e. McDonald’s $1 menu) are calorie efficient – meaning, you get the maximum calories per dollar. I live in NYC where a salad can cost anywhere between $5 and $10. Two to three hours after I finish my salad, I’ll be hungry again though. However, I can buy more chicken nuggets and burgers than I could possibly eat for $5 from one of the fast food giants. When people become unemployed and money gets tight, they resort to foods that are calorie efficient. Fresh fruits and vegetables are far less calorie efficient which is why “food deserts” (see wikipedia.org) are prevalent in historically poor neighborhoods like Harlem and the Bronx.
To start it, it is a lot easier to go wendys, mc donalds, burger king ext, and get something off the dollar menu, unhealthy food for real cheap. And those that are more likely to get laid off are going to be the one’s that eat a high fat low vegetable diet.
I have been unemployed for a few years now and have never eaten badly. I eat the best vegetables, meat and fruit. Attitude and low IQ are more likely to be the real problem. A well known author, Theodore Darlrymple made an excellent point when he mentioned the fact that families regarded as living in poverty also lived near Asian Groceries where they sell many item of nourishing food at prices below the supermarket. The initial excuse given was that they were disadvantaged because of the distance they lived from the supermarket which demonstrates the never ending misinformation and palpable lying from a left wing media or administration. The comment above about income is from my experience not true.
Causal or coincidental? Don’t go saying it’s causal where there’s as yet unreconciled ambiguity.