Vegetables Prices Are Increasing

 

The price of vegetables has increased. Overall, food prices have risen for a several years. The increase of vegetable prices impacts public health. Studies have noted that higher prices can undermine healthy eating. Fast food becomes an alternative when fruits and vegetables are too expensive. Chronic illnesses such as heat disease and type II diabetes can be prevent through changes to diet. The United States imposing tariffs on a variety of goods resulted in a spike in prices. Consumers and grocers are adjusting to economic uncertainty. Farmers are being impacted negatively, which will harm agribusiness. The tariffs on Mexico and Canada are the cause of the price increase related to vegetables. US farms do not have the capacity to immediately replace imported vegetables. The consumer will be paying more for domestically produced vegetables. Food companies were already engaged in price gouging and the new tariffs are an extension of that model. If prices continue to rise, food security will be threatened. People who are on the poverty line could face starvation. Food banks might not be equipped to manage the growing number of food insecure citizens. Supermarkets are going to struggle with consumers looking for other means to obtain food. A goal of the current administration is to improve health of the public. Tariffs and high prices prevent access to healthy food. Making vegetable prices cheaper ensures protection of public health.