Voting, It’s What for Dinner

These days, politics seem to be at play in every facet of life.

Food is no exception; there’s a lot of money influencing our unconscious food choices, the available options at the food store, and food production.  The Big Food and Agriculture Lobbies are working hard to influence our elected officials and our consumer protection agencies to promote misinformation about the nutritional value of foods and related labels, the safety of our food supply, the toxic effects of agricultural farming on employees, consumer health and the environment.  

Over the last 5 years, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on lobbying.  In 2015, the beef industry spent millions on lobbying to influence the 2015 dietary guidelines. Their goal was to ensure a recommendation by an expert panel that urged Americans to consume less meat, not be included.  They were successful. This is just one example.  In 2016, agribusiness spent $118M, and in the 2018 midterm, $92M was spent with Big Meat and Big Sugar leading the money charge.  The 2020 election is set to surpass both these numbers.  

So, what can you do? Vote, not just at the polls, but with your wallet and with your food choices.  Every day, you can make a better choice for your health, for your environment, and for your democracy.  Don’t be fooled by the Big Money lobby. When you buy any product, you are essentially casting a vote endorsing that product and the processes used to make it available to you.  By purchasing food that promotes healthier living for you, animals, and the environment, you send a clear message to these industries. Cast a vote for your health and our future, and increase your plant-based, healthy food choices.  The next time you go shopping, try nut-based milk, a plant or bean-based cheese or burger, and choose plenty of fresh vegetables.  

How can you “cast your vote” with your food choices when you shop?

  1. Buy fresh and local whenever possible. Local, fresh food is healthier and supports your community farmer rather than Big Food.
  2. Select more whole foods.  Whole foods have minimal to no processing and include fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, eggs, fish, and some poultry and meat.
  3. Add meatless options to your cart. You don’t have to become a full-time vegan or vegetarian to benefit from plant-based meals. Not sure where to start?  Breakfast is an easy one to begin with: oatmeal with berries, nut butter, or avocado toast. Use soy, almond, or coconut milk with your coffee. 
  4. Buy organic produce when you can, especially these fruits and vegetables, which tend to be higher in pesticides: strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery, potatoes.  Tip: The number 9 prefix added to a PLU signifies that an item is organic. 
  5.  Read the labels. Google the ingredients that you don’t recognize. Is that something you want to consume? 
  6. Most restaurants have vegetarian or vegan options available. Your vote counts there also!

 

By viewing every purchase through a different lens, you will change what you place in your cart.  And these changes, even if small, will make a big difference over time.   Collectively, individual consumers have considerable power to effect change.  

In short, like the old adages say: you are what you eat, and money talks! 

References:

  1. The Hill, Leave the Science alone on Dietary Guidelines, July 2015
  2. The Atlantic, How Agriculture Controls Nutrition Guidelines, Oct. 2015
  3. Forbes, The Food Pyramid of the Future, Nov. 2016
  4. www.opensecrets.org