Daniel Pink explores a reader's idea: give every American a $30 prepaid card for fresh produce and dried legumes, with unused funds going to charity. He argues direct subsidies work better than telling people to eat healthier, and notes the potential health gains from increased demand for whole foods.
This is Daniel Pink. I write the Why Not column for The Washington Post, where we propose bold, unconventional ideas for remaking our country, our organizations, and our lives. We've gotten thousands of ideas from readers all over America. Here's one. This is from a reader in Las Vegas who asks, why not give everyone a prepaid card, $30, to be used only for fresh produce and maybe dried legumes? Make the card donatable to charities. So this is a good idea. I actually kind of like it. We want to do everything we can to encourage people to eat better, fewer processed foods, more whole grains, more fresh fruits and vegetables. Exhorting people has its limits. Subsidizing them, as this reader is suggesting, might be a better idea. I love the idea that people who don't need the funds can donate it to charity. This might be a way to boost demand for things that make people healthy. Why not? Let us know what you think right below.
