Tobacco vs. Vegetables: A Federal Funding Imbalance that Needs Reform
When we think of agriculture subsidies, we tend to imagine the federal government supporting crops that feed the nation—crops like wheat, corn, and soy. However, it might surprise you to learn that one of the most heavily subsidized crops in the United States is actually tobacco, a product linked to over 480,000 deaths each year, according to the CDC.
Even though Congress passed the 2004 “tobacco buy-out” to phase out direct support for tobacco farmers, subsidies continue through federally subsidized crop insurance programs. In 2017 alone, tobacco farmers received over $60 million in subsidies. Between 1995 and 2016, they raked in a whopping $567 million in insurance subsidies. This level of support stands in stark contrast to the funding for healthier crops like fruits and vegetables, which receive little to no direct subsidies .
The exclusion of fruits and vegetables from federal subsidies dates back to the 1990 Farm Bill, which was influenced by concerns about market competition between subsidized and non-subsidized crops. Vegetable growers, wary of price competition from heavily subsidized commodity crops, pushed to exclude their products from the direct payments program. While this helped protect their market, it left fruits and vegetables without the same level of government support as crops that contribute to processed and ultra-processed foods .
This imbalance highlights a larger issue: our subsidy system supports crops that feed into unhealthy products like tobacco and processed foods, while healthier options—fruits and vegetables—are left to fend for themselves in a highly competitive market. It’s time to ask whether our agricultural policies truly reflect the health priorities of our nation.
Imagine a world where fruits and vegetables were as heavily subsidized as corn or tobacco. What if government funds were directed toward making healthy, fresh produce more accessible to everyone? Such a shift could have profound effects on public health, helping to reduce the rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
As we move forward, it’s worth advocating for a realignment of our agricultural subsidy programs to prioritize what’s best for the health of the population. Tobacco farming should no longer be a major recipient of taxpayer dollars, and instead, that money should go towards supporting the crops that nurture our bodies and our communities.
It’s time to reform the system and put public health first.
Sources:
- Environmental Working Group:
- Food Safety News:
- CDC: Tobacco-Related Deaths
