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What are some food items that cost less than what they "should"? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 10 months ago by otp@sh.itjust.works to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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Bananas are ridiculously cheap even up here in Canada, and they aren't grown anywhere near here. Yet a banana can grow, be harvested, be shipped, be stocked, and then be purchased by me for less than it'd cost to mail a letter across town. (Well, if I could buy a single banana maybe...or maybe that's not the best comparison, but I think you get my point)

Along the banana's journey, the farmer, the harvester, the shipper, the grocer, the clerk, and the cashier all (presumably) get paid. Yet a single banana is mere cents. If you didn't know any better, you might think a single banana should cost $10!

I'm presuming that this is because of some sort of exploitation somewhere down the line, or possibly loss-leading on the grocery store's side of things.

I'm wondering what other products like bananas are a lot cheaper than they "should" be (e.g., based on how far they have to travel, or how difficult they are to produce, or how much money we're saving "unethically").

I've heard that this applies to coffee and chocolate to varying extents, but I'm not certain.

Anyone know any others?

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[-] shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee 18 points 10 months ago

Does water count? It's the first thing that always comes to mind for me. I'm certainly not complaining, but it amazes me that, no matter where you go, water, even clean water, is universally free. It's certainly not unlimited.

[-] otp@sh.itjust.works 11 points 10 months ago

That does depend on where you are in the world. Even in North America, not everyone can just turn on a tap.

As well, it's generally our tax dollars that go to treating and supplying it. So we do pay for it.

That said, you're absolutely right. It's my favourite thing to drink, and it probably wouldn't be if I had to pay for every glass! Lol

[-] JJROKCZ@lemmy.world 7 points 10 months ago

Our tax dollars pay for it because a significant portion of the population is dead inside a week if the tap water stops or becomes unsafe. The government takes care of it because the populace can’t be trusted to take care of themselves lol

So as you said, it’s not free really, but there’s a really good reason for that

[-] 4shtonButcher@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 10 months ago

Access to clean drinking water should be a human right. Water shouldn’t cost anything. So it can never be too cheap.

[-] shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee 1 points 10 months ago

As opposed to other foods?

this post was submitted on 19 Jan 2024

160 points (97.1% liked)

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