The Cost of Food

The other day a friend of mine asked me if my groceries cost me more than normal people. My first response was to question the integrity of the question—excuse me, what qualifies “normal people”? After thinking about it—I said, yes, when I go to the organic market, the farmers market, or even the Supermarket, my food probably does cost me more than “the average person.”

But, then again, maybe not—I buy lots of fruits and vegetables, I don’t buy meat, I don’t buy ultra-processed snack foods… I buy whole foods (no, not the store), raw foods, and ingredients. Regardless of the cost of my actual groceries, the cost-benefit (what up, economics!) analysis will still come out in my favor if I am paying more for my food in order to ensure that it is good for me.

The taste is the most common reason. Paying for higher quality food just plain tastes better and I enjoy what I’m eating. When it costs more, I am more conscious about my appreciation for it. (See previous post to hear more of my ranting on this matter!)

Beyond the obvious, the health benefits from eating better quality food also weigh into the cost. Paying the higher price for food, the health care costs are often reduced. As epidemics of diabetes and obesity are becoming bigger issues for the public, the cost of healthy food that prevents these diseases is low in comparison.

The benefits behind the price of food do not stop on the personal level. The environment, of course, is another major reason to care about our food. The environmental impact of industrialized agriculture and farming the United States uses today is catastrophic. Buying food that has less of an impact may cost more at face value, but the long-term costs on the planet are far worse.

I am going to conclude with something that my vegetarian roommate (who is doing her best to convert me—into a vegetarian, that is) lives by. Although we spend more on our vegetables when we buy high-quality Organic, we still are saving money compared to the “conventional” shopper because we do not buy meat, which is expensive on all accounts.

So, “Average Shopper,” next time at the store, spend a little extra on the spinach and apples—it might be worth it at the end of the day.