George Frisvold is a professor of agricultural and resource economics at the University of Arizona.

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Opinion by George Frisvold

America's food system is full of contradictions. Recent estimates suggest 12 percent of Arizona households are food-insecure. They are uncertain of having, or are unable to acquire, enough food to meet the nutrition needs of all their members because of lack of money.

More than 30 percent of Arizona's food-insecure households have "very low food security," which means their normal eating patterns were disrupted and at times they were forced to cut back on food. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 37 percent of Arizonans are overweight and an additional 23 percent are obese.

While farm groups have called food self-sufficiency a national priority, U.S. agricultural exports reached an all-time record last year, nearly $71 billion. America's share of world exports of major field crops is larger than OPEC's share of world petroleum exports.

True, the U.S. agricultural trade surplus has fallen from $14 billion in 2001 to less than $6 billion. But this is because we've been importing record amounts of agricultural commodities.

And what are we importing? Alcoholic beverages, chocolate and other sweets, sodas, cookies, chips and snacks account for over 40 percent of recent growth in agricultural imports.

Academics have turned attention to the cost and availability of healthier food items. A study of Los Angeles and Sacramento stores found a market basket of healthier foods cost $18 a week more than the U.S. Department of Agriculture's thrifty food plan. The higher cost of whole grains and lean meats accounts for most of the difference.

In my own research — replicating the California study — the healthier market basket would cost Tucsonans about $13 a week more.

While some healthier items (leaner meats or whole grains) are more expensive, others (low-fat milk or salad dressing) often are not. One USDA study found that two-thirds of fresh fruits and vegetables cost 25 cents or less per serving. Many cost far less. Four servings (four half-cups) of fresh vegetables that provide 100 percent of daily requirements for vitamins A and C and 15 percent for fiber for under 75 calories, could be bought for as low as 27 cents.

While healthier items may not be high-priced, people still have to find them. "Food deserts" — areas where low-income people face physical and economic barriers to purchasing healthy food — have received growing attention from anti-poverty activists and academics.

Some research indicates stores in low-income areas are less likely to stock healthier items. Other studies have found that better access to larger stores with more variety is associated with better eating habits.

Although education and information are important, more is needed to address nutrition problems in Arizona. It is time for a more fundamental dialogue about how communities are structured and whether those structures promote healthy habits.

This Monday, the Partnership for Equity & Civic Engagement is sponsoring the beginning of such a conversation. I hope you will participate in this and future conversations about community, nutrition and health.