The Costs Behind the Price Tag: An Analysis of the Hidden Costs of Mass-Produced Food

The Costs Behind the Price Tag: An Analysis of the Hidden Costs of Mass-Produced Food

Contrary to the public’s popular perception, there are a number of produce items that are cheaper at local farmers’ markets than those sold at supermarket chains around the country. In addition, the cultivation of food using sustainable agriculture methods contributes to the improvement of consumer health and environmental preservation.

The common justifications Americans use to defend their loyalty to supermarkets and corporate production are founded on misconceptions regarding the practice of sustainable farming as a whole. Those who work and participate within the sustainable agriculture movement are proving these generalizations to be false. Even those supermarket items that are less “pricey,” have hidden consequences involved with their consumption that will have a more detrimental and long-term impact on the well-being of the community and cost the individual consumer more in the long-run, said Joy Casnovsky, program director of The Happy Kitchen at the Sustainable Food Center (SFC).

“Taste is a big difference, but there are other costs that need to be factored in,” said Casnovsky.

A majority of Americans dismiss the option of shopping at farmer’s markets due to the perception it will cost them more money. However, a study done in Vermont compared the prices of grocery store products to the same ones sold at the local markets and found that statement was not true, but in fact, 5 out of the 14 items compared were cheaper at the local farmers markets. The greatest differences in price were found among potatoes and eggs, which was not a surprise for those familiar with the costs of producing these items.  

However, these comparisons do not include the additional costs American consumers are facing for the future. The personal and environmental health of consumers is threatened by the methods of farming employed in the mass production of produce and agriculture. The US Department of Agriculture Research Service is advocates the adoption of small farm techniques to eliminate the environmental concerns these corporations pose as well as save taxpayers from unnecessary production costs.

“A cost-effective solution for managing feedlot runoff is needed for small beef cattle feeding operations… The system consisted of a grass approach, a terrace with a debris basin, and a vegetative treatment area... The system effectively reduced the cumulative mass of total and volatile suspended solids and reduced chemical oxygen demand by 80%, 67%, and 59%, respectively,” said the USDA Agriculture Research Service.

Therefore, while some products may cost more initially, they save consumers more money in the future and protect their individual and community well-being. The Sustainable Food Center is a non-profit organization in Austin that serves as one of the several examples of the power of community investment considering only 7 % of their yearly budget is spent on management and operational costs, the other 93% spent on their programs and fundraising efforts.

“There is a disconnect where people say, ‘I don’t have time to cook!’ But, the amount of time they spend on isolated activities like watching T.V. contradicts this…Time management is key,” said Casnovsky.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend an average of 2.83 hours a day watching television and only .74 hours socializing and communicating with others in their community. This data supports Casnovsky’s claim that the largest hurtle facing small farmers in the United States is not costs, but an understanding of how to efficiently and effectively utilize their time and resources. In addition, advocates of the grass roots movement highlight the reluctance of individuals to become interdependent on their community members and engage in volunteer work and events, said Jane Levan, owner and farmer at Dewberry Hills Farm.

“Even if you don’t care. If you don’t care about people, if you don’t care about the environment, and if you don’t care that your tax dollars are being subsidized for corporate agriculture, then what you really should care about Is what the hell your food tastes like… When people ask me to tell them about my chicken, for starters I say, ‘it tastes like chicken!” said Levan.