Today is a pretty special day. It’s Food Bloggers Against Hunger, and I know many talented bloggers are going to write about ways to feed a nation, so I’m going to take a different spin. Instead, I want to bring to light some of the existing problems with our food supply, and if we’re lucky, I’ll throw in an economical recipe at the end.
I’m thrilled to be doing this post today because it’s something I’ve been wanting to get off my chest; something that’s been bothering me for quite some time, in a I’m completely disgusted type of way, so consider this your warning. Today’s post is not going to be hearts and flowers or rainbows and bunnies, and you might as well forget the unicorns. 
I’m just going to come right out and say this.
We’re doing a shitty job in America with our food supply, and as a result, we are really fucking unhealthy.
We have adults and children who are going hungry every single day. We have food deserts in so many areas, where the only choices for something edible can barely be called food and it’s certainly not anything nutritious. These same areas are also some of the unhealthiest regions, and there’s absolutely a connection between the two.
There is so much wrong with our current food system. We have problems coming out of our asses, and yes I mean the plural sense of the word, because most of the food sold and eaten in this country is going to give you some extra asses.
We’ve allowed and we’re still allowing far too many toxins, additives, and cheap food like substances into our food supply.
We’re giving farm subsidies to the wrong types of farms and the wrong types of food. We’re allowing companies to add cheap chemically enhanced flavors to the same food like substances so people can literally become addicted to them. Anyone else reminded of nicotine? At least there, we can call a spade, a spade.
We then throw billions of dollars into marketing these crappy food like substances, making it even harder for people to resist and harder for children to recognize what a real potato looks like when compared to a bag of chips. We’ve short-changed the budget for nutrition in schools. We’ve made it damn near impossible for someone on food stamps to be able to even afford a nutritious meal. Can you eat healthy and vitamin dense food on $3 to $4 a day? Every day? I’m not sure I could, and you can completely toss organic out the window.
Source: http://foodstuffcleveland.blogspot.com/2012/11/food-art-cindy-changs-food-insecurity.html
We actually have people who are not only hungry and food insecure, but also overweight and obese at the same time, because the only food they can possibly afford is the worst kinds for them. It’s a horrible oxymoron, but true. The end result is we end up paying billions of dollars in health care costs to fight obesity related illnesses, the number one cause of death in our country. We are actually at point where our children will live sicker and die younger than our generation, so it’s safe to say, our current approach isn’t working anymore and it hasn’t been for a long while.
We need to be more proactive. Our existing policies and programs are long overdue for some reform. If you’re interesting in making a difference, please consider using this link to send Congress a letter asking them to support the anti-hunger legislation. Want more facts? Check out this movie. I watched it on Amazon this weekend, for a nominal fee, and it was eye-opening, even for me.
Now, instead of just ranting about this topic, I’m going to take action. I’ve already expressed my very strong opinions in this post today, I’ve sent a letter to Congress and now I’m going to put my money where my mouth is.
It’s been a long time since I’ve given my consumer dollars to processed pre-packaged meals or fast food, but I’m going to go one step further. I am no longer going to shop in grocery stores, whose marketing plan is to target crappy food like substances, such as this. I was accosted by this wall of garbage when I first walked into one of my local grocery stores. What a lovely first impression, and yes, I am choking on my own sarcasm. 
I don’t see soda and chips, instead I see sickness and sale prices. It’s unnecessary and part of the problem, and I call bullshit. I will no longer spend a single dime in these stores; not until they stop marketing obesity related food and start targeting foods, which can make a positive difference in the lives of our children and our country.
If you’ve made it this far in my tirade today, thank you. I appreciate it, and for your efforts, I’m going to give you some real food; a convenient recipe which can be adapted to suit your needs.
This one is simple, easy and can be made with pantry staples and some produce. It’s filling, nutritious and delicious. I eat this meal for dinner all the time. In fact, I made it just last night. 
Rice & Bean Bowl
Serves 2 as an entrée or 4 or as a side dish
Ingredients
- 1 serving of brown rice, cooked according to package directions.
- 1 10-12 oz bag of frozen corn or one 15 oz can of corn.
- 1 15 oz can of Black Beans or Red Beans, rinsed and drained.
- 1 Onion, chopped.
- 1 Bell Pepper, chopped.
- Salt and Pepper, to taste.
Directions
- In a small saucepan, cook brown rice according to package directions.
- In a separate medium saucepan, over low to moderate heat, heat up rinsed and drained beans and corn. Add onion and bell pepper. Add salt and pepper. Stir occasionally.
- Taste and add additional salt and pepper as needed. You can add any other spices here too. I like cajun spices and cayenne pepper or even some garlic powder.
- Once the beans and corns are thoroughly warmed through, combine this mixture with the cooked rice.
- Serve warm and dig in.
Thanks for sticking through today’s post, and I hope to see you back here tomorrow for my Week In Review link up. Hopefully I’ll be back to peace, love and bunnies by then, so come and join the party and get your link up on because I love to see what you’ve been up to in the past seven days.
What are your thoughts on our current food system?
Excellent post Meghan! I feel the same way about our food system that you do, and I just submitted my letter to Congress last night (and got one of those automated emails from Sherrod Brown this morning- Hey! That’s something 🙂 ).
That image at the grocery store is the same one that I see when I walk into places like Walmart, Meijer, Buehlers, etc. And I don’t blame them for the shelves upon shelves of donuts, cookies, and boxes of pure junk. They are just giving people what they want. It stinks that the cheap, affordable food is also the unhealthiest food.
And your comment about kids not knowing the difference between a potato and a chip makes me think back to Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. Did you ever watch that show? I was only able to see about half of the episodes but boy did they open my eyes up…. A family who used their fryer for basically every meal of the day… Ground beef that was “cleaned” with chemicals before being packaged for the grocery stores… And possibly the most sad- A classroom where a kid can’t tell the what a tomato, potato, or even cauliflower was.
Awesome healthy recipe at the end. Definitely budget-friendly and it sounds delicious!
Thanks Madison. I’m glad you reached out to Congress! I really appreciate your support. I have seen Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution show, and I absolutely loved it. It was just as eye-opening as this film, and I only wish they would re-air the program. Have you seen HBO’s The Weight of the Nation? That’s another great documentary.
As far as the grocery stores go, I think they need to take some responsibility for the current situation. I’m not saying they shouldn’t carry those items (because everybody has the right to choose what they eat), but I wish they wouldn’t glorify them in the manner they do. Let’s keep the chips and soda in the appropriate aisle, and let’s start marketing the produce and veggies in the same manner they currently do processed foods. By switching the marketing, we can change the perception, and the new demand will be for healthy food, which will ultimately drive down the price.
I watched a television commerical last night for Giant Eagle, and it showed a grocery cart meandering down the aisles and the “great” on sale “food” was literally leaping off the shelved into the grocery cart. At the end of the trip, the entire cart was processed food. There wasn’t any fresh fruit, veggies, dairy, eggs, nothing of the sort. It made me sad.
Thanks, Meghan! I’m so glad to read this post–you’ve done a great job weaving stats and inspiring me to get off my bum and do something.
And your rice & bean bowl looks delicious.
One question (I tend to get bogged down in the details)–where are you going to buy baking powder for my next tempting muffin recipe if you stop shopping in the grocery store? I think the spice guy at the farmer’s market may carry it here, but it’s the little day to day things like that I wonder about.
Thanks Kirsten. Great question!. Thankfully, I have other grocery stores in my area. I go to Nature’s Bin for pretty much all my food needs now, and they have a completely different approach on food marketing. When you walk into the store, you are met with winter squash, nuts, recycling bags, plants, flowers. I’m fortunate though because I know so many others don’t have that. For the time being, Nature’s Bin is going to get all my money. It’s a pity for those other stores because the bulk of my monthly budget is spent on food.
Preach, sista. Ammmmeeeeeennn to this, seriously. Could not agree more.
Thanks Jess!! I appreciate your support. 🙂
FANTASTIC post, Meghan! I really couldn’t agree more and while eating organic can get expensive, the government can surely subsidise nutritious meals to make them accessible by all. Every economy wants to thrive on consumer expenditure but it shouldn’t be at the expense of health…and by that I mean discounts on sweets, chips, fizzy drinks etc have got to stop NOW!
Thanks! Your support and encouragement means a lot to me, and I second your line, “it shouldn’t be at the expense of health.”
What a great post, Meghan. I could not agree more!! There is something seriously wrong with the food system nowadays and something needs to be done! I admire the choices you make to change things.
Thanks Antonia. Let’s hope this post has some impact. My fingers are certainly crossed.
WELL SAID!!! I enjoyed this post–even without the peace, love and bunnies! LOL! Thanks for the yummy and convenient recipe too–will definitely try it!
It’s simple, affordable and really delicious. Sometimes I make a double batch just to have for later in the week. Why not cook once for two meals?!
I appreciate the support.
I am SO so SO SO SOOoooo happy this movement happened. I wish I had more time to write up a post and contribute, but I linked to yours. You did an incredible job. THANK YOU for shedding light on this issue.
Thanks for linking up with me Carole. I really appreciate it, and I hope this event has an impact because something has to change.
I LOVED your post. I’m going to share it in any way I can, because I think you got right to the heart of the matter. Thank you so much!
Thanks for stopping by, saying hello and showing your support. It really means a lot to me.
Amen, sister! I will never understand why it sometimes costs more to buy whole foods than products manipulated to be diguised as food. I live in what you call a food desert (how I miss Florida and the year round farmer’s markets!) I survive on the perimeters of the grocery store and soon…. a CSA share! (you inspired me) I wrote Congress today and will continue the fight against fake food and hunger!
I’m thrilled you’re going to be doing a CSA this year, and I can’t wait to hear all about your escapes with produce. Thanks for your support Liz! It is always appreciated.
“accosted by this wall of garbage”, lol. Great post Meghan, I enjoyed it very much.
Do you live in Pennsylvania? Giant Eagle is our major grocery chain too and I think it’s fairly local to PA.
I’m with you – I call bullshit too 😀
Thanks Jackie. I’m glad you stopped by and said hello.
I’m in Northeast Ohio (Cleveland), and Giant Eagle is one of the major grocery store chains here, and their marketing makes me crazy.
I love your post! As depressing as it is, I also love the banana infograph. I can’t agree more about the advertising onslaught you open yourself up to just by walking into the grocery store, at my local shoppery, cardboard displays of chips and soda can be found in the breezeway (where I remember flowers and fresh produce being displayed when I was a kid). And it’s a constant reminder that there’s no food-stone left unturned by these big-food companies. I can’t wait to see some reader numbers from this awesome event and I hope that if we all keep talking about it, we’ll really make some change in the food-world.
Being a part of yesterday’s fight against hunger was amazing. I’m so ready for change and our country is desparate for it, so my fingers are crossed and I’m hopeful.
Wow! What a great cause. I’m always astounded at how many people are hungry. It definitely makes you appreciate all the blessings in your life!
Yeah, the documentary was really eye-opening for me. I didn’t realize how closely obesity is linked to food insecurity. I do now though.
my dear meghan.. all I have to say is this post rocks & you are an inspiration <3
Thanks Jessie. Your comment means a lot to me.
I know what you mean about the soda & processed garbage at the supermarket! It’s such a disservice to our nation to have our food supply make us sick! And for what? A few extra dollars? Political gain? We can make changes, we just need the information on what’s wrong and how to fix it. That’s why I love documentaries like these.
It seems like everywhere we turn (at least in Ohio): the media, the stores, the fast food joints, we are surrounded by horrible food choices and most really aren’t food.
I wish they invested half their marketing budget for the crappy food into healthy nutritious food. Things would change then.
Preach on, sista! And holy cow, your dedication! I’d love to give grocery stores the boot, but I know I wouldn’t make it. That said, this summer I’ll be relying (mostly) on a chicken CSA and my own/my family’s gardens–so reliance on the ol’ Kroger will go downhill. I think education needs to be a part of ending hunger/crap food choices as well–so many people just have no idea how to eat healthy/cook simple and cheap meals, and the two really ARE feasible. If people start buying produce/ignoring crap, food policy will have to change/companies will have to stop making non-food.
So, yeah, I am beyond excited to continue reading about your non-grocery-store adventures, and keep us posted as to when the next dedicate-a-post opportunity is, ’cause I totally missed the bus on this one.
No worries. If it happens again, and I hope it does, I will spread the love or ranting in my case.
I’m super fortunate in that I have other grocery stores I can choose from, and the store I most often frequent has the same or similar health goals as mine. When you walk in, you are met with plants, squash, nuts, recycleable bags so I’ll continue to shop there even though it’s more costly, rather than give my money to the big box grocery stores. Without that store and my CSA, I would be a whole world of hurt so I’m lucky.
Great post! This was such a fantastic opportunity for us to unite as food bloggers for a really important epidemic that is plaguing our nation. It’s ridiculous where the priorities of our government lie and how big businesses are controlling many of our legislators. I’m sick and tired of it. I really hope together we can make a difference.
And that’s so great that you are boycotting grocery stores. I think if we all, as a majority, started demanding organic, locally-grown produce and products, we could make a positive change in the food industry. It’s simple supply and demand. Let’s demand these products and only these products, and soon enough these stores will start to realize what consumers really want. The change has to begin with our wallets.
Thanks for your great post!
I hope we can make a difference too; it was an awesome opportunity to be a part of this event, and I hope they do it again soon.
It’s all about supply and demand and if we spend out money on the good stuff, hopefully it will become more affordable and more readily available for all.
Amazing post friend!!!! Thank you for raising awareness and for being so passionate! We all do need to come together if we want to see a change!
Thanks Brittany. I appreciate the support, especially because it’s a subject I’m so passionate about.
Great post, and I’m so glad that I participated in this even with such great bloggers! What you had written is something I completely agree with. I’ve never been in the position where I had no idea where my next meal will come from, but I can only imagine how difficult it must be to want to feed you family with healthy foods, but instead to find pop and chips is the only thing you can afford. Very frustrating!
I’ve never experienced real hunger myself and it’s almost unimaginable so many Americans have. It also makes me crazy the cheapest food options are also the crappiest. It did however feel incredibly good to take part in something like this.
It makes me so incredibly sad to think of how most people see food today. The definition of the word: “Any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink, or that plants absorb, in order to maintain life and growth.” Ha! Most of what the average person buys from the store and consumes on a regular basis couldn’t be FURTHER from this term. Frankenfood is more like it! But why the hell wouldn’t people buy it when it’s so fucking cheap?! I have no problem buying natural foods, organic when necessary, and local when I can, but I also don’t have anyone else to support other than myself, but this is certainly NOT the way I grew up. I was one of those kids…sucking down boxed cereal, tv dinners, HFCs fruit cups, and the like day in and day out when I was younger because even though my parents both worked their ASSES off 5 days a week, without college educations, only so much money could be brought in. So yeah, I may not have actually “starved” as a child in the sense of being without food, but I did starve nutritionally. I look back on those days now and it makes me so sad…yet incredibly grateful for everything I have now.
Ok, rant over.
Great post, girl. I love your gusto and you’re give em hell approach! I’m curious to hear more about your vow to give up the traditional grocery stores.
That’s really tough and based on some of your comments, it sounds like your parents still eat that way… yes? Personally, I have friends and family who eat way differently than I, and it’s hard to watch sometimes because you know they are doing so much damage to themselves.
I’m lucky because I have more than one natural grocery store nearby so I can shop there. It’s cost more, but I feel like it’s worth it. If I didn’t have that, I don’t no how I would survive after my big chain grocery store ban.
Oh yeah, my parents STILL eat that way…because it’s the only way they’ve ever really known. Ok, I take that back, my mom at least TRIES sometimes. She told me the other day (with a big proud grin on her face) that she started having salads at lunch and even added some avocado and walnuts to it. But unfortunately, my father is a stick in the mud…he hates ANYTHING green…he won’t try new foods…and his favorite side to have at dinner is pork & beans straight out of the can. I swear it’s a wonder the man doesn’t have a million health conditions.
That’s a bummer. They must wonder where you came from….ha.