This study shows, farm policies initially implemented to increase farm incomes while making food affordable for the poor do not improve the most vulnerable Americans’ access to affordable and nutritious food. Various subsidies and government backed insurances schemes intended to reduce the risks from farming, improve farm incomes, in order to provide a secure and inexpensive food supply have been undermined by various conservation policies and government purchase programs with the result that government farm policies either have little impact on prices or increase food costs which harm the poor.
The study concludes, “after reviewing many varied potential impacts and despite occasional claimsto the contrary, farm subsidy programs have little impact on food consumption, food security, or nutrition of the poor in the United States.”
