AUSTRALIA -- Australians can afford to pay extra to eat good meat. And though there are ethical standards that govern the killing of these animals, it seems as if not all the rules are being followed. In fact, the demand to change the process of capture and kill by farmers should be asked. The changed should be demanded now.
It is easier to argue that the intensified process of animal farming is what puts meat on the table of an Aussie household, especially to families who can afford the price tag for each one. When there is a call to eat less meat or the demand for a better type of meat, it only means one thing: the rich are once again favored. Free-range, organic, grass-fed -- these are all terms included in a higher price tag that meat comes with.
So if Australians truly look at the numbers, they will realize that they are spending almost 15% of their monthly budget on food consumption alone. Though this is already relatively smaller compared to the 19% of monthly income on food expenses alone some thirty years ago. For meat alone, people spend as much as $650 per person between the years 2015 to 2016. Over the years, in their desire to live healthier lifestyles, people have reduced their desire to eat meat. Today, households spend only an average of $13 on vegetables, and almost $10 for fresh fruits. This change has brought about positive effects on their overall health.
In truth, people don't really spend less on food. They just pay less on other food items, but still use the extra money buying another type of food item. Whenever people say that they cannot afford healthy foods because they are just too expensive, it is important to note that 40% of the vegetables and fruits from farms are discarded by the side of the road. This percentage does not even include the fruits and vegetables that go to waste when they are bought from the store but not consumed at home. These are squandered resources.
When people are asked if they can spend more on food, they know that they can. Historically, people never really spent less on food. Perhaps people just need to support local farmers who are into more sustainable practices of farming. Because as long as people support the current practices that include animal cruelty, they will continue to flourish. People need to be more aware of the choices that they make to help the world become a better place for both people and animals.
Farmers will grow food that people will buy. Support them by buying the food products that were obtained through sustainable animal farming. The extra dollars that you may can go a long way.
