The True Cost of Cheap Food: Who Pays the Price?
Walk into any grocery store, and you’ll find shelves stocked with inexpensive processed foods, bulk meats, and cheap produce. On the surface, this seems like a win—low prices mean more people can afford to eat, right? But the reality is much more complex. The true cost of cheap food goes far beyond what we see on our grocery receipts. The hidden costs—healthcare expenses, environmental destruction, and economic inequities—are devastating, and we are all paying the price.
Industrialized food systems prioritize efficiency and profit over sustainability, public health, and community resilience. At Carolina Farm Trust, we believe there’s a better way: investing in local food systems that nourish both people and the planet.
The Hidden Costs of Cheap Food
1. The Health Crisis: Processed and Industrialized Diets are Making Us Sick
Ultra-processed, mass-produced foods have led to a global health crisis. Diet-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and
