One of the most common criticisms of my work here at Summer Tomato is that the lifestyle I promote is not available to everybody. That fresh food is a luxury only available to those with the resources to procure it and the time to prepare it.

Sadly, this is true. But it is only part of the story.

These accusations of elitism are based on the assumption that since fresh food has a higher price tag than processed food, promoting it as the best means to better health discriminates against those who can’t afford it.

Blame the science, shoot the messenger.

To get to the real problem we need to ask what sets the price tag. Why is the food from smaller farms at my local farmers market more pricey than the mass produced industrial food most people eat?

Is it because small, family farmers are greedy? Are they preying off the ignorance of rich people seeking the latest kale and beet juice trend?

Or are the prices of industrial food––even produce––artificially cheap?

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For The Love of Food

Welcome to Friday’s For The Love of Food, Summer Tomato’s weekly link roundup.

This week learn the best ways to prevent cancer, why Michelle Obama should talk more about cooking and the reason heating oil is not dangerous. Also, catch Eric Schlosser of Fast Food Nation and Food, Inc. on The Colbert Report.

If you would like to see more of my favorite articles each week or just don’t want to wait until Friday, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@summertomato) or the Summer Tomato Facebook fan page.

Submissions of your own best food and health articles are also welcome, just drop me an email using the contact form.

For The Love of Food

• KFC No Longer Permitted To Use Word ‘Eat’ In Advertisements <<Brilliant. Just Brilliant (from The Onion). Take that KFC!!
• Want to Stop Cancer? You Can, Experts Say <<National Institute of Cancer Research explains why your habits are the most important factor determining your cancer risk.
• The Commander in Chef <<Interesting look at how Michelle Obama could contribute to the healthy eating movement by promoting cooking at home (from New York Times).
• Does cooking with oil create trans fats? <<Monica Reinagel at Nutrition Data dispels the rumor that heating oils is bad for you. It’s not!
• 8 Ways to Feel Full While Eating LESS <<Great pointers for practicing mindful eating from Basil and Spice.
• How to Lose Weight by Eating More <<Read carefully, this article does not contradict the previous one. Healthstyle philosophy at work from Dumb Little Man.
• If you’re looking for the truth about fructose, why would you design a study this way? <<Monica did such a nice job calling out this study that I’m giving her credit for finding the B.S. of the Week. Don’t blame fructose, all sugar is bad (at Nutrition Data),
• Farmers markets bloom at hospitals <<Bringing health to the sick, hospitals turning to farmers markets over fast food chains (from CNN)
• Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation and co-producer of Food, Inc. made an appearance on The Colbert Report. Watch to learn how to get super powers from genetically modified corn.
  

  The Colbert Report	Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
  Eric Schlosser
  colbertnation.com
  http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:220021
  Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Keyboard Cat