Apples or Twinkies: Could Farm Subsidy Cuts Actually Make Americans Healthier?

According to a recent report published by the California Public Interest Research Group titled “Apples to Twinkies: Comparing Federal Subsidies of Fresh Produce and Junk Food,” between 1995 and 2010 nearly $17 billion worth of federal subsidies supported the corn and soy industries—primarily the production of genetically modified high fructose corn syrup and soy oil—ingredients common in junk and fast food items instead of funding healthy fruits, vegetables or whole grains.