The Real Cost of Food

The Real Cost of Food

Last summer we visited family in Finland. Finland’s reputation leans toward cold and dark. In winter, there are about 20 hours of dark and about four hours of dim. Temperatures hover in the negatives. But in August, we found about 20 hours of bright sunshine and delightfully warm and dry days. We had a grand visit.

The people of Finland were welcoming and friendly. We visited during a time when the dollar was holding its own against the Euro, so we expected to have a financially-positive trip –- until we went to the supermarket. Wow! More than once I stood in the store with produce in my hand amazed at the cost. We are living in a “fool’s paradise” in America. Food is very expensive in Finland. 

Why is food so costly in Finland? First of all, it’s got to get there. Finland is way up there --about a third of the country lies within the Arctic Circle. Winter is frigid and long. Many crops won’t survive in its short growing season. Berries abound and thousands of lakes and the seas provide a bounty of fresh fish. Much food, however, must be imported so the price rises.

Food prices in Finland are tied to food costs. Here in the U.S., food prices do not reflect the actual cost of food. The hidden costs of growing, shipping and selling food here are often masked by government programs and subsidies. The energy needed to produce just one pound of steak, for example, is staggering. Cattle drink about 2,500 gallons of water for each pound of meat produced. Add in the cost for average travel distance of 2,000 miles (from feed to cattle to processing to shipping to store), the 12 tons of waste per cow per year which must be collected and processed, the methane released into the atmosphere from exhalations and waste, the cost of antibiotics added to feed, and damage to the environment as rainforests are cut down to provide land for feed crops, the average cost of a pound of steak comes to about $815.00. Wow!

Becoming a vegetarian won’t help much. The practice of mono-cropping, growing one profitable crop rather than a more sustainable variety has led to overuse of chemicals which leach into the soil and water sources raising the cost for soil and water treatment. This does not even include the costs of labor for picking, packing and shipping these crops.

Health costs have risen too. Because more food is available, we eat more. Obesity rates have reached new highs. Obesity increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. So the price of food is far less than the cost of food here in the U.S. The higher prices in Finland may be more accurate, but the cost of feeding the world is phenomenal. 

What can be done to even out the costs and prices? Some suggest eating only locally grown organic foods. This would reduce pollution and shipping costs. Would this method produce enough food for the world? Opinions differ. The population steadily increases as we figure this out. Will we be too late?

So what can we do? First of all, be aware of food costs. Investigate the actual cost for the foods you buy. Those $4.00 pastured organic eggs at the farm stand may be cheaper in the long run than the 99 cents dozen at the super store. Shopping at local farm stands may not reduce the cost – many feature foods which have been shipped from other parts of the country. Ask where your food originates and how it is produced. Stop thinking price and start thinking cost.  

Stop living in a “fool’s paradise” so that we can all live in a real one. Know the true cost of food before you reach for your wallet.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Total Time:

40 min

Prep:

5 min

Inactive:

10 min

Cook:

25 min

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower, stalk removed

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 eggs, lightly beaten

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Break the cauliflower into florets and pulse in a food processor until fine. Steam in a steamer basket and drain well. (I like to put it on a towel to get all the moisture out.) Let cool.

In a bowl, combine the cauliflower with the mozzarella, Parmesan, oregano, salt, garlic powder and eggs. Transfer to the center of the baking sheet and spread into a circle, resembling a pizza crust. Bake for 20 minutes.

Add desired toppings and bake an additional 10 minutes.