We've all heard the figures. We know that meat production uses significantly more land and fossil fuel resources than a vegetarian diet. But, then, why on earth is it cheaper to eat meat than fresh fruit and vegetables?

The following graph will give you an idea. On the right we have Federal Dietary Recommendations, compared with, on the left, the government subsidies that prop up the respective food groups.

Note: Figures are correct, but visual representation is not to scale (source)

Almost 75% of U.S. government subsidies go into meat and dairy production, but less than half a per cent goes into fruit and vegetable production. Talk about an upside down world!

This is why the Farm Bill, that favours the most destructive and largest food producers, is so significantly out of touch with what you'd hope would be the real goals of society -- health of the environment and the people in it. Hopefully more people will be looking at this issue after last week's Hallmark Meats fiasco.

OM Organics have a great page with more info on the Farm Bill.