Why is American food so bad. And so expensive.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Compared with Europe, our food quality sucks. And it's a lot more expensive, both pre covid and high inflation after covid.

[David]

Corporate greed. And I guess farmer greed (or farmer's goods are over priced because their expenses are increased by corporate greed) since even prices at local farmer's markets are much higher than Europe.

Any American that goes to a market in Europe is astounded by the good quality and low cost.

[Zeke]

Transportation and related costs. Wages, insurance (big), and original farm labor in most instances. Especially strictly food crops. All of Europe is more compact.

I have no answer why is it so poor. Good can be had for even more money.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by David

Corporate greed. And I guess farmer greed (or farmer's goods are over priced because their expenses are increased by corporate greed) since even prices at local farmer's markets are much higher than Europe.

Any American that goes to a market in Europe is astounded by the good quality and low cost.

I'm not sure most farmers are that greedy. I don't think a lot of farmers are getting rich. I suspect most are just making a living.

[look 171]

Not sure about the rest of the world, but a simple thing like eggs sold must be by free range chickens by law in some states. That's part of the cost and I am sure the quality is the same.

[David]

[David]

[David]

[David]

[David]

Originally Posted by masraum

I'm not sure most farmers are that greedy. I don't think a lot of farmers are getting rich. I suspect most are just making a living.

I doubt individual farmers are getting rich at all. When companies care more about profit than customer, we get the shaft. Look at how much corporate profits have gone up during covid. They complain about costs going up but ignore that their profit is way up. In Europe people seem to enjoy life without a huge concern about wealth.

[Dantilla]

Americans want to fill their belly quickly and get to the next event.
For some Europeans, the meal is the event.

Get a burger at a drive through and eat while driving?
Inconceivable!

The market has responded to each.

[Arizona_928]

Farmers are getting the shaft… it’s the 5+ middlemen that are greedy

[Dixie]

Are there any farmers left? I thought it was all corporate farming like ADM and Cargill.

And is this thread about prepared restaurant food, raw produce, or poultry and meat?

[RANDY P]

Seen him in PARF? Shaun wants everything to be like Europe.

rjp

[masraum]

Originally Posted by look 171

Not sure about the rest of the world, but a simple thing like eggs sold must be by free range chickens by law in some states. That's part of the cost and I am sure the quality is the same.

And "free range" doesn't mean that the chickens are out pecking around in a field. It means that they aren't in cages. But I don't think that's how chicken farms work anyway. I think the avg chicken farm is a bunch of chickens in what is essentially a warehouse with a dirt floor.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by David

I doubt individual farmers are getting rich at all. When companies care more about profit than customer, we get the shaft. Look at how much corporate profits have gone up during covid. They complain about costs going up but ignore that their profit is way up. In Europe people seem to enjoy life without a huge concern about wealth.

Yep

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

Farmers are getting the shaft… it’s the 5+ middlemen that are greedy

and yep.

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

Are there any farmers left? I thought it was all corporate farming like ADM and Cargill.

And is this thread about prepared restaurant food, raw produce, or poultry and meat?

Absolutely. I am surrounded by small farms. I frequently drive past small farms where folks grow rice, cotton, dairy, meat, etc.... They are likely the minority based on amount of land, profit, and pct of our food, but they are out there.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by masraum

And "free range" doesn't mean that the chickens are out pecking around in a field. It means that they aren't in cages. But I don't think that's how chicken farms work anyway. I think the avg chicken farm is a bunch of chickens in what is essentially a warehouse with a dirt floor.

Factory farming…

Local Muslims (halal) pay 20 bucks ea for real free range chickens.
Goat is a few hundred and these people drive for hours to pick it up.

[Baz]

I have to say on the subject of good food here in America.......

I've NEVER had food ANYWHERE as good as my Mom's home cooking!

She wasn't a fancy cook - but she could make almost anything!

Pretty much the gold standard for me.

Love you, Mom!

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by David

I doubt individual farmers are getting rich at all. When companies care more about profit than customer, we get the shaft. Look at how much corporate profits have gone up during covid. They complain about costs going up but ignore that their profit is way up.

Good post. Individual farmers are not getting rich, they farm because they love farming and are willing to give up wealth for lifestyle. The government offers huge subsidies to agriculture - "farming the government" is a real thing - but most of it is sucked up by agribusiness - ADM, Tyson, etc.

Originally Posted by David

In Europe people seem to enjoy life without a huge concern about wealth.

That, I think, is the crux of the issue.
We are super consumers in the US and for many of us income is more important than lifestyle. So we have two jobs or more per family so we can pay for the two pickups, the Winnebago, and gas for them all and no one has time to prepare food. We pay for convenience in order to have time for our jobs. The food industry has been willing to to provide the convenience that we demand - at a price. The convenience food they produce is not as tasty or nutritious, but it's fast and easy. I am appalled at the amount of chemical preservatives and flavor and texture enhancers they put in convenience foods to make them more or less palatable.
I am equally appalled at the amount of packaging on the shelves at supermarkets, and it's all in the name of convenience. Have you looked at a package of Lunchables? There is more plastic packaging than food in a "serving." The food industry is selling Lunchables to schools because feeding kids this crap is cheaper than feeding them food.
It's no wonder there is an obesity epidemic in this country. You have to eat 2000 calories of that "food" in order to feel full.

[Por_sha911]

I've always heard food in Europe is more expensive.
Why are food costs so high?
-USDA has all kinds of of regulations on what pesticides, food handling...
-Environmental activists have driven the cost of water up to protect obscure grubs and smelts.
-Small farms are being crushed by costs on equipment, supplies...
-Americans demand 'perfect' food without imperfections.
-Labor costs.
-Insurance costs.

Should I keep going?