Congressman Blumenauer was on hand at the presentation of a new Oregon State Public Research Interest Group (OSPIRG) report “Apples to Twinkies.” The report outlines how taxpayers are subsidizing junk food additives like high fructose corn syrup to the tune of billions of dollars. David Rosenfeld and a number of OSPIRG staff and volunteers illustrated the national policy by comparing the subsidies of apples and Twinkies. According to the report, each taxpayer provides subsidies enough to purchase 21 Twinkies, but only half an apple.

“At a time when childhood obesity rates are skyrocketing, it’s absurd that we’re spending billions of taxpayer dollars to make the problem worse,” said Blumenauer.  “The Farm Bill shortchanges nutrition programs and Oregon’s farmers and ranchers who grow food, not commodities. It’s time to shine a spotlight on these issues and work toward ending this waste and inequity.”

Blumenauer has outlined a number of his own recommendations for reforming national agriculture policy in his own “Growing Opportunities” report.