While I’d like to say that my minimum wage job provides enough disposable income for my rent, groceries, lifestyle, and savings, it’s still a familiar struggle each month deciding how to allocate my income. Certainly I’m not the only student living in Seattle that feels this monetary pressure, and surely there are people less well off across the country facing the same challenge. So how realistic is it for the majority of the population to afford this diet Pollan suggests?
Julie Guthman and Norah MacKendrick offer critiques of Pollan’s individualistic approach of simply deciding to make an effort to buy healthier foods by citing how it’s not an individual problem, but a systematic one. Pollan’s diet assumes that an individual must have enough funds to actually ‘vote’ with their dollar by buying organic/local products, however this is a misconstrued reality that many may not have the time or money for. For example, families who live on a budget below $100 per week must decide to spend their money on cheaper, more processed foods, or the more nutritious organic produce. The latter, however, is an unrealistic choice when someone is attempting to get food on the table for their family. Similarly, organic products often have a shorter shelf life than processed foods, which poses another problem for families living farther away from supermarkets.
Another point I found interesting in these critiques was MacKendrick’s argument that this individualization is harmful because it promotes a state of “inverted quarantine” that perpetuates “political anesthesia” in individuals who can choose to avoid certain products, rather than voicing their concern to the government. This keeps potentially hazardous products on the market, which may be cheaper than any alternatives.
Simply speaking, voting with your dollar may be less of a choice and more of a privilege.
I completely agree with you and the idea of these healthy food choices being so much of a privilege, and less of a conscious choice we are able to make. Pollan talks so much about how messed up the system is, but it feels like we have little to no choice in being able to change things with no money. It feels like the system is almost set up to not let the mass majority of people living in America to make a change so that the rich can keep getting richer, and fed well. Sometimes, it can feel like even having an allergy, food intolerance, choosing a certain diet (such as vegan), or choosing to eat organic can be a privilege as well. I always remember my friend asking me if homeless people can ask us if the food we’re giving them is organic- is it a right or a privilege to be able to eat healthy? Do we (as students on a budget) have the right to access affordable healthy food, or is it just a privilege?
Pollan’s dietary recommendations are slightly problematic, as you suggest. Although he wrote his book with good intentions, I can’t help but notice (just as you have) that a large portion of people are left out of his plan for a healthy eater. Although it is not really in his job description to tackle inequality or unfairness in society, I find many portions of his book to be idealistic and see them as coming from a privileged place. As you mention, a better way to look at heathier eating is to look at the system rather than the individual. Not everyone can afford to eat 100% organic, vegan, locally grown food (for example). Some families struggle to afford the rent, and might not even have a car to get them to the better grocery store on the outskirts of town. As someone who suffers from many food allergies, my diet has become increasingly more expensive over the past two years (when I was tested for allergies). I am blessed and lucky enough to come from a middle class family who can help me pay for the more expensive food I buy now, but many individuals don’t come from such a privileged place. I think that if we keep placing responsibility so strongly on individuals, as Pollan does, our focus is too narrow.