PROVIDENCE, R.I. —
Federal subsidies for commodity crops are subsidizing junk food additives like
high fructose corn syrup, enough to pay for 21 Twinkies per taxpayer every
year, according to RIPIRG’s new report, Apples to
Twinkies 2012. Meanwhile, limited subsidies for
fresh fruits and vegetables would buy one half of an apple per taxpayer.
“At a time when
childhood obesity rates are skyrocketing, it’s absurd that we’re spending
billions of taxpayer dollars to make the problem worse,” said Laura Etherton.
“With the Farm Bill about to be reauthorized, it’s time to end this waste.”
Between 1995 and
2011, American taxpayers spent over $277 billion in agricultural subsidies. The
payments are highly concentrated, with 75% of the subsidies going to just 3.8%
of farmers, and they mainly support just a few commodity crops, including corn
and soybeans. Among other uses, food manufacturers process corn and soy crops
into additives like high fructose corn syrup and vegetable oils that provide a
cheap dose of sweetness and fat to a wide variety of junk food products.
Among the report’s key findings:
o Between 1995 and 2011, $18.2 billion in tax dollars subsidized four common food additives - corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, and soy oils (better known as hydrogenated vegetable oils). At $7.58 per taxpayer per year, that would buy each taxpayer 21 Twinkies.
o Outside of commodity crops, other agricultural products receive very little in federal subsidies. Since 1995, taxpayers spent only $637 million subsidizing apples, which is the only significant federal subsidy of fresh fruits or vegetables. Coming to 27 cents per taxpayer per year, that would buy less than half of one Red Delicious apple.
o Rhode Island residents’ share of the expense for junk food subsidies is about $3,612,557 each year on average, compared with just $126,450 in subsidies for apples. That’s enough to buy 9,776,879 Twinkies, but only 260,587 apples.
Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the last three decades, with one in five kids aged 6 to 11 now obese. Research shows that increased snacking is responsible for a significant portion of this increase
o Between 1995 and 2011, $18.2 billion in tax dollars subsidized four common food additives - corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, and soy oils (better known as hydrogenated vegetable oils). At $7.58 per taxpayer per year, that would buy each taxpayer 21 Twinkies.
o Outside of commodity crops, other agricultural products receive very little in federal subsidies. Since 1995, taxpayers spent only $637 million subsidizing apples, which is the only significant federal subsidy of fresh fruits or vegetables. Coming to 27 cents per taxpayer per year, that would buy less than half of one Red Delicious apple.
o Rhode Island residents’ share of the expense for junk food subsidies is about $3,612,557 each year on average, compared with just $126,450 in subsidies for apples. That’s enough to buy 9,776,879 Twinkies, but only 260,587 apples.
Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the last three decades, with one in five kids aged 6 to 11 now obese. Research shows that increased snacking is responsible for a significant portion of this increase
Click here to read the entire report.
RIPIRG, the Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group, is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest organization.
RIPIRG, the Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group, is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest organization.
