Accept higher food costs

Less-expensive food seemed like a great idea decades ago, when U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Earl Butz made it a priority. Cheap and fast food soon became plentiful, introducing shocking calories and unimaginable health costs. In addition to many other hidden costs, according to author Michael Pollan, the fossil fuel used for transportation of food is second only to that consumed by cars.

The resulting profit-focused industrialized agriculture has proven itself a destructive environmental and cultural force.

The true cost of organic food production supports the land owner/farmer, transportation, etc.

Some of the many benefits to the community from organic food production are clean air, water and healthy soil.

Today we are facing the loss of millions of industrially produced chickens and their eggs as H5N2 bird flu sweeps the planet. I, for one, am grateful for the local organic farmers that are providing their products to Spokane.

When will we be able look beyond our instant-gratification, cheaper-is-better mentality and begin to recognize its consequences and accept the higher cost for healthy food?

Carrie Anderson

Spokane