If we are not paying for processed food, then who is?

[shashank]

Food that is processed the least costs a fortune, such as organic fruits and vegetables, when the worst foods that are highly processed can be afforded by the poorest of the poor. This doesn't add up right.

The price of the product that the consumer pays certainly cannot cover all the expenses of the processing, packaging, transportation and marketing that goes into that product.

The products on the shelves are already paid for, but by whom?

[lundie]

The grocery store pays its supplier for every product on its shelf, and then resells them at a slight markup.

The reason why processed food is cheaper is because its production is automated, and they use pesticides and stuff. Organic food pretty much has to be tended by hand, no pesticides. This makes it time consuming to produce and limits the quantity that can be produced.