Food Choices Why Does a Twinke Cost Less Than A Bunch Of Carrots?

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January of 2012 saw Hostess Brands, the makers of Twinkies, Sno Balls and Wonder Bread heading back into bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a decade. Part of the reason is that Americans are reaching for healthier snacks and whole wheat instead of white bread. Another part of the story has to do with rising labor costs.

But why does a Twinkie, with over 40 ingredients and full color packaging, cost less than a bunch of carrots?

Because the government subsidizes the unhealthy ingredients that go into them.

"The government is helping the Twinkie makers and it's not doing very much for the carrot growers. Our agricultural policies are subsidizing the cheap calories of fat and carbohydrates that we're eating too much of. And we are not helping the growers of specialty crops: fresh food, whole food." says author and food journalist Michael Pollan.

"We have a set of agricultural policies that are making us sick." he says, connecting the dots between food policy, high-fructose corn syrup, and our health.

--Bibi Farber

This video was produced by Nourishlife.org

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Why Does a Twinke Cost Less Than A Bunch Of Carrots?

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Nutritionally Bankrupt