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ChemE in the OP 
LSU Fan
The Flats
Member since Apr 2011
2425 posts
| "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 1:11 pm)
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
World Future Council Brochure on the policy
Some interesting ideas and positive community results. Could this work in lower income areas in the US? Maybe.
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CarrolltonTiger
LSU Fan
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2005
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| re: "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 2:05 pm to ChemE in the OP)
You seem to use the term democracy very loosely, but after reviewing your links, I must ask what in all of that could possibly work in our lower income areas?
Please be specific.
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ChemE in the OP
LSU Fan
The Flats
Member since Apr 2011
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| re: "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 2:18 pm to CarrolltonTiger)
I was referring to the fact that healthier choices were made by folks in this community when that option was not more costly than other alternatives. What incentives and options would need to be put in place for this to happen in the states? Do you believe that McDonald's, etc. would still be the option of choice? Is it an education, accessibility, or cultural phenomenon?
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Taxing Authority
LSU Fan
Houston
Member since Feb 2010
16738 posts
| re: "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 2:21 pm to ChemE in the OP)
quote:
I was referring to the fact that healthier choices were made by folks in this community when that option was not more costly than other alternatives. What incentives and options would need to be put in place for this to happen in the states? Do you believe that McDonald's, etc. would still be the option of choice? Is it an education, accessibility, or cultural phenomenon?
So you believe if we artificially lower the cost of broccoli it will become more plentiful?
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50Mullets
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| re: "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 2:25 pm to Taxing Authority)
quote:
So you believe if we artificially lower the cost of broccoli it will become more plentiful?
We already try to do this with farm subsidies for things like milk. I doesn't work very well.
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TigerTattle
LSU Fan
Out of Town
Member since Sep 2007
3937 posts
| re: "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 2:36 pm to ChemE in the OP)
We already have Farmer's Markets, a straight from farmer to buyer alternative. They're all over the place. It's just so much easier to buy a burger than to cook a meal from raw ingredients, plus, clean-up consists of no more than throwing paper in the nearest trashcan. How many parents even teach their kids rudimentary cooking skills? Making cheaper, healthier foods even more readily available won't do much good without the skillset needed to cook and the incentive to do the prep, cooking, and cleaning.
As for the prepared food mentioned, how long would it be before tummyache/allergy lawsuits ensued, before the Health department and OSHA were involved, before regulation upon regulation were developed and instituted making the price of such meals rise?
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Cold Pizza 
Ohio State Fan
Member since Sep 2011
7639 posts
| re: "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 2:56 pm to ChemE in the OP)
People aren't starving in lower income areas of the US; I assume you are referring access to good food not crap.
As an OT Baller, I don't live in a poor area so maybe it's different, but I'm regularly surprised how cheap fruits and vegetables are at my local grocery story. I bought a half-gallon of grapefruit juice (pasteurized, from concentrate but still 100% juice) for like $3.50. I live in the North, a long ways away from vegetable production but I can still get fresh carrots, broccoli, apples, ect for perfectly reasonable prices.
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constant cough 
New Orleans Saints Fan
Lafayette
Member since Jun 2007
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| re: "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 2:59 pm to ChemE in the OP)
We already have a solution to hunger here in America.
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ChemE in the OP
LSU Fan
The Flats
Member since Apr 2011
2425 posts
| re: "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 3:01 pm to TigerTattle)
quote:
We already have Farmer's Markets, a straight from farmer to buyer alternative.
I'm not sure this option is readily available in many locations, especially at reasonable cost as many of these specialize in "organic" food, etc.
I definitely see your point about the cooking skill set being lacking which directly relates to my comment about it being a cultural issue.
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TigerTattle
LSU Fan
Out of Town
Member since Sep 2007
3937 posts
| re: "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 3:07 pm to ChemE in the OP)
quote:
I'm not sure this option is readily available in many locations, especially at reasonable cost as many of these specialize in "organic" food, etc.
Perhaps not. I live near several small towns. All have farmers markets once a week, none organic, just produce grown by locals along with home-canned jellies, pickles, etc. But I have seen produce stands in nearby cities and have shopped at them. Prices are a bit higher than farmers markets, but not much.
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CarrolltonTiger
LSU Fan
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2005
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| re: "Hunger is not a scarcity issue, it's a democracy issue." (Posted on 11/29/12 at 4:46 pm to ChemE in the OP)
quote:
I was referring to the fact that healthier choices were made by folks in this community when that option was not more costly than other alternatives
Eating healthy is not more expensive than fast food it is more time consuming and work intensive.
Our dysfunctionals have food stamps to buy nutritious commodities not fast food. They could cook their free food if they weren't too lazy. Prepared food is easier.
If people wnat to eat healthy the information and the options are available. Eating crap and being morbidly obese is a choice.
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