Justice Analysis: The Cost of Eating Sustainably through the Lens of Distributive Justice
Distributive justice is the concept that resources, benefits and burdens within society should be fairly allocated to all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background (Kaufman, 2017). Access to essential resources, such as nutritious, sustainable food should not be a privilege limited to certain groups but available to everyone. When analysing the high cost of eating sustainably through the lens of distributional justice, it becomes evident that unequal access to sustainable food reflects systemic inequities in resource allocation (Maluf et al., 2022).
1.Economic inequality
Sustainable agriculture practices often result in higher production costs, which can translate to higher consumer prices (Food Forward NDC’s, 2024). This creates a situation where low-income communities may be priced out of accessing sustainably produced foods, thus exacerbating already existing inequalities (Annemarieke de Bruin et al., 2023). A study conducted by Pechey and Monsivias in 2016 found that sustainable diets are approximately “27% more expensive than less healthy alternatives”, making these choices financially inaccessible for many households (Pechey and Monsivais, 2016). Reinforcing this, research shows that healthy food options can “cost up to twice as much as unhealthy products”, further demonstrating a financial divide that limits lower-income communities access to nutritious, sustainably produced foods (Er et al., 2024).
For the poorest “20% of households, achieving sustainable dietary recommendations would require them to allocate a staggering 47% of their disposable income to food” (UK Parliament Post, 2022). When looking through the lens of distributional justice, there is clear disparity when comparing that only “11%” is allocated for “the wealthiest 20%” (UK Parliament Post, 2022). This statistic demonstrates that the financial burden of sustainable and healthy eating disproportionately affects those with the least resources, leaving wealthier groups with greater ability to make sustainable choices.
2. Geographic and Cultural Barriers
Through distributional justice, it becomes clear that access to sustainable food also varies by location. Certain communities, especially lower-income and rural areas, have limited access to fresh, healthy food. “Over a million people in the United Kingdom (UK) reside in neighbourhoods that suffer from a scarcity of nearby grocery stores” and a severe lack of easily accessible, nutritious food sources, resulting in “food deserts” (Smith and Thompson, 2022; Janatabadi et al., 2024). This means that even if individuals want to eat sustainably, they may not have the local resources to do so.
As well as geographic, sustainable food systems must account for cultural diversity as well. Religious beliefs can influence food choices and practices, “including food prohibitions and proscriptions” (Monterrosa et al., 2020). Also, culturally acceptable food habits don't always align with sustainable diets, such as Halal foods for the Muslim community which not always easily accessible from sustainably sourced providers (Francqueville, 2021).
3. Policy influenced solutions
Distributional justice calls for systemic change to make sustainable eating financially viable for all. Policies such as “public finance reform” could aim to repurpose subsidies from environmentally harmful practices towards promoting environmentally friendly practices and products (Kenny et al., 2023). Another policy solution could offer incentives for retailers to offer affordable organic and local produce in lower income areas (Kenny et al., 2023). In order to increase sustainable eating in low-income communities, community food security programs should be installed, as well as the creation of sustainable food systems within the communities (Er et al., 2024).
Conclusion
In conclusion, analysing the cost of eating sustainably through the lens of distributional justice reveals that eating sustainably is inaccessible for lower income communities. The analysis also demonstrates how cultural and geographical factors also act as barriers towards sustainable eating. In order to reach equality, more inclusive policies such as the introduction such as subsidies, incentives for retailers and community initiatives are essential to making sustainable choices viable for all communities.
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Reference list
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