Letter to Vice President Harris on Food Price Inflation
How Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy Could Transform Food Economics
Dear Vice President Harris:
Hungry Americans expect you to lower food prices the minute you are in the White House. However, this directive may not be necessary as the hunger issue will soon resolve itself. Thanks to Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, food consumption will plummet so significantly that supply will far outstrip demand. Instead of grappling with inflationary prices, we will confront deflationary food prices!
Walmart US operations CEO John Furner revealed to shareholders a noticeable shrinkage in the overall shopping basket size among consumers taking these miracle medications. Facebook Ozempic Support groups illustrate how consumption of food and beverages has reduced by perhaps 25%. These drugs are soon to be available in a pill form that is both cheaper and more effective.
The New York Times recently reported that restaurants have trimmed their portions (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/24/dining/restaurant-portions.html). However, the drop in alcohol consumption means they can't lower their prices. Restaurants thrive on liquor sales.
The economic effects of these weight loss drugs will ripple through industries from agriculture to retail, which collectively represent a $1.5 trillion sector. We are witnessing a shift in the American appetite. Such drastic changes in our consumption patterns are alarming, but do we have a choice? Not really. After all, dead people have very little purchasing power.
According to NIH, 99 million Americans are pre-diabetic, 75 million have fatty liver disease, and 40 million are diabetic. WHO classifies a 35” waistline as obese; the average American woman measures 38.7 inches and weighs 171 pounds. The CDC notes that 70% of us are overweight.
Right now, addressing cheap food is low-hanging fruit for politicians, unlike the economic disruption it might cause. It's hard to imagine Americans will stop overeating. Perhaps an analogy about allergies will clarify: Imagine going through two boxes of tissues a week plus eyedrops and skin lotions with no relief until a miraculous drug completely cures your symptoms. Suddenly, you're no longer spending on these products. In agriculture, this could promote a cultural shift towards more mindful consumption where quality trumps quantity.
Since most Americans have a couple of years of extra padding, the best approach might be to encourage reduced consumption; higher prices for food and beverages could curb waste and excess. Once we adjust, the food industry will no longer need to rely on hormones to boost production.
And there's one industry that will definitely boom—the apparel industry. As everyone sheds weight, they'll need new wardrobes. Come your next campaign, you'll face supporters who are leaner, better dressed, and happier.
Your Supporter,
Joan Breibart
10/7/2024
