The World's Fair

While doing some background research on democracy, science, and environmental policy, I found myself reviewing some of the thousands of public comments offered for the 2007 Farm Bill we've referenced at this site several times (here's one, on science). Interesting Stuff.

Farm Bill legislation has been in the works for a few years, with public hearings across the nation and opportunities for input into the process by farmers, farm associations, environmental groups, and agro-business all the while. It was passed by the House this Summer and is now being debated in the Senate.

When I first saw the comment I've pasted above, I only looked quickly and thought it was from a crank and so I laughed. Yes, out loud. I laughed out loud. They should come up with an acronym so I don't have to type that all out. This guy is moaning about the snacks they provided at these public forums. Free food and he's complaining? But then I reread it, actually reading in full (pasted below), and saw that he was making a fair point. It was indeed a very solid point.

The comment speaks to a practice-what-you-preach principle, with the assumption that the USDA should be producing healthy food and thus giving away healthy food as snacks. It really is remarkable that the USDA itself would provide fatty snacks when given the opportunity to show that they're aiming towards a more amenable diet. The above public comment is also subtle, in that it provides but a small glimpse into what Americans consider "normal" -- and when things are normal they are not debatable. As in, Who would even think to gripe about chips at a USDA forum? They're everyday fare.

But consider too that the role of the sugar and candy and junk food industries in the crafting of this bill is enormous. From Foodbattle.org and the folks that brought us "The Meatrix" spots, this video illustrates the basic point:

It seems like old hat to me - sugary treats or healthy apples. But it has direct relevance and immediacy here. And while we're here, along the same lines you might want listen to this additional, somewhat nuanced story about the power of the Sugar Lobby in the recent debates on the floor.

All very tasty.