How Much is Too Much? The Increasing Cost of Food

Minnesota Public Radio held an interesting discussion this morning about the rise in food prices and how it impacts families budgets and the national economy. The first guest, Michael Swanson, an Agricultural economist with Wells Fargo had insightful comments on the multiple reasons that food prices are going up.

The second guest, Brian Halweil, always a provocative speaker, provided interesting commentary. Halweil urged the benefits of buying local (no surpise, given his authorship of the great book, "Eat Here: Reclaiming Homegrown Pleasures in a Global Supermarket"). A call-in by a Minnesota state senator enabled Halweil to highlight the "hunger-obesity" paradox and discuss how that paradox is tied to the Farm Bill subsidization of only a few crops. The hunger-obesity paradox is the sad reality that obese children (and adults as well) are often actually malnourished--lots of cheap calories don't necessarily translate to adequate nutrition.

You can listen to the discussion on Minnesota Public Radio's website.