The title of the blog is “Desert Beliefs” and the aim is to make it about all forms of belief, and faith, as well as about ethics and values.

Today’s blog is about how much our government values America’s health.

Newsweek reports some interesting information about the Farm Bill and Act, which Congress will begin considering this summer. Every five years, Congress makes decisions about a $90 billion taxpayer-funded appropriation. Many call it the Food and Farm Bill because it’s got so much power over our food supply.

If you don’t think government has any control over what we eat, check out the facts that Newsweek discovered:

∫The foods that nutritionists recommend we eat more of — vegetables and fruits — are considered specialty crops and aren’t eligible for direct government support.

∫The cost of fresh fruits and vegetables is up 40 percent since 1985 while the price of meat, oil and soft drinks is down 5 percent to 25 percent.

∫Soybean, corn and wheat farmers receive billions of dollars in aid. Many of those crops end up going into feed for livestock, sweeteners or cheap oil for fast food.

∫Each day, 25 percent of U.S. adults eat fast food.

∫For every dollar the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) spends on nutrition education, the food industry spends $24 on ads and marketing.

Seems like our obesity crisis could use some help – like maybe some subsidies to sellers of vegetables and fruits. Or better yet, how about taking away some of the subsidies taxpayers give to growers of crops that fund cheap oil for our fast food supply?

For some local perspective on hunger, obesity and other food issues, check out the Tucson and Region section in the upcoming Monday’s Arizona Daily Star.