We’ll pay for the farm bill

Re “The dirt on farm subsidies,” Opinion, July 24

The farm bill is a critical piece of legislation that will determine the course of agriculture and food policy in our country for the next five years. Despite having the cheapest food system in the world, Americans are arguably the most unhealthy, “starving” for real, nutritious food. The farm bill is at the heart of this phenomenon, which champions the interests of agribusiness at the expense of the nation’s health, the environment and the viability of small family farms.

People should be aware of where their food comes from, and the fact that buying locally produced and sustainably grown products vastly reduces their carbon footprint. Shopping at the farmer’s market and eating seasonally is one of the best ways to help the environment, improve your health and keep sustainable farms afloat.

Emily Ochmanek

Malibu