In this country, more goes to corn syrup, ethanol and other non-foods like starches, in part because of agriculture polities driven by lobbyists. Why yes, I do think Archer-Daniels-Midland is the devil.

According to this, 32% of crops in the US go to animal feed. [link] (I think it means 32% of the money from selling crops comes from feed, not 32% of the volume of crops. Just the first relevant link that google found.)

Much better link: [link]

According to the National Corn Growers Association, about eighty percent of all corn grown in the U.S. is consumed by domestic and overseas livestock, poultry, and fish production. The crop is fed as ground grain, silage, high-moisture, and high-oil corn. About 12% of the U.S. corn crop ends up in foods that are either consumed directly (e.g. corn chips) or indirectly (e.g. high fructose corn syrup). It also has a wide array of industrial uses including ethanol, a popular oxygenate in cleaner burning auto fuels.

Of the wheat consumed in the United States, over 70% is used for food products, about 22% is used for animal feed and residuals, and the remainder is used for seed.

In the United States, grain sorghum is used primarily as an animal feed, but is also used in food products and as an industrial feedstock. Industrial products that utilize sorghum include wallboard and biodegradable packaging materials. Worldwide, over half of the sorghum grown is for human consumption. ... As much as 12% of domestic sorghum production goes to produce ethanol and its various co-products.

(It didn't give the usage statistics for soy.)

I, too, have a high deductible plan. Sadly, as insurance company emplyees, that's our only option. It sucks. A lot. Next year, we lose the option of having a copay on drugs, and instead have them as part of the deductible. Which means if you're on expensive drugs, that first month or two of the year, you better hope you have plenty of savings. Since your HSA hasn't probably saved up enough yet. Super sucktastic.

Timelies all!

Grr, my lower back is bugging me, again.

Since your HSA hasn't probably saved up enough yet.

You can use the full amount of your HSA January 1st, even if you get canned January 2nd.

You can use the full amount of your HSA January 1st, even if you get canned January 2nd.

I think it works that way for the FSA, which is the account tied to regular insurance plans and which does not roll over at the end of the year. But not for the HSA - that money is only accessible as it is funded.

That's a lot of animal feed.

But not for the HSA - that money is only accessible as it is funded.

Oh, sorry. Got my acronyms crossed. I didn't know there were two healthcare related savings accounts.

FCM: Batman, Superman, and Wolverine

Is my aim to survive the next week, or to have a really good time while I'm alive?