http://cuindependent.com/2010/10/26/cruising-on-the-poverty-line/ University of Colorado Daily Student Newspaper Site in Boulder: Breaking News, Sports, Entertainment, Opinion Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:17:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://cuindependent.com/2010/10/26/cruising-on-the-poverty-line/comment-page-1/#comment-14463 Ryan Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:03:32 +0000 http://cuindependent.com/?p=19879#comment-14463 Going through all of these items that cost $.99 here and $1.20 there is great and all, but it doesn't address the core issue; in 2009 the average American consumer spent almost $118 a week on food, according to the US Department of Labor (not a CU Boulder student). Therefore in order to live off of $20 a week, the average American would have to cut their food expenses by 83%! Assuming that such a feat is even possible, imagine what the ramifications would be of an 83% cut in spending in the culinary industry. The industry would tank, slowing growth and technology development in that sector, which would drive up costs and prices for the consumer in the long run, making it even more difficult for someone to live off of $20/week. But back to basics, how many people would even be willing to entertain the idea of such a bland diet? The whole idea of progress is that through innovation even the lowliest worker can have food from all corners of the world. In fact, a person in the middle class of America lives better than most kings have in the past, with a longer life expectancy, higher calorie diets, more leisure time... The list goes on, but the point is that today more people have more than at any time in history, and that's a good thing. Lowering our consumption of food in general will force companies to be more efficient and waste less, but it will also force prices up and companies out of business. Consumers must continue to encourage companies to produce environment safe goods efficiently through both purchasing power and the power of elected officials. In this case, we can have our cake and eat it too, everyone can win. Going through all of these items that cost $.99 here and $1.20 there is great and all, but it doesn’t address the core issue; in 2009 the average American consumer spent almost $118 a week on food, according to the US Department of Labor (not a CU Boulder student). Therefore in order to live off of $20 a week, the average American would have to cut their food expenses by 83%! Assuming that such a feat is even possible, imagine what the ramifications would be of an 83% cut in spending in the culinary industry. The industry would tank, slowing growth and technology development in that sector, which would drive up costs and prices for the consumer in the long run, making it even more difficult for someone to live off of $20/week.
But back to basics, how many people would even be willing to entertain the idea of such a bland diet? The whole idea of progress is that through innovation even the lowliest worker can have food from all corners of the world. In fact, a person in the middle class of America lives better than most kings have in the past, with a longer life expectancy, higher calorie diets, more leisure time… The list goes on, but the point is that today more people have more than at any time in history, and that’s a good thing.
Lowering our consumption of food in general will force companies to be more efficient and waste less, but it will also force prices up and companies out of business. Consumers must continue to encourage companies to produce environment safe goods efficiently through both purchasing power and the power of elected officials. In this case, we can have our cake and eat it too, everyone can win.

]]> http://cuindependent.com/2010/10/26/cruising-on-the-poverty-line/comment-page-1/#comment-14417 Alexa Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:27:19 +0000 http://cuindependent.com/?p=19879#comment-14417 Actually, you are often better off at Whole Foods, rather than Sunflower. Veggies are often cheaper and always fresher. If you keep an eye on sales there, you can get some good bargains if you don't buy other stuff like meat (or basically anything else). Actually, you are often better off at Whole Foods, rather than Sunflower. Veggies are often cheaper and always fresher. If you keep an eye on sales there, you can get some good bargains if you don’t buy other stuff like meat (or basically anything else).

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