* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Bluesman James Montgomery Will Perform In Falmouth – CapeNews.net

    Blues Legend James Montgomery Ready to Ignite the Stage in Falmouth

    Mexican singer Pedro Fernández to make Ave Fénix tour stop in Stockton. Tickets, schedule – Yahoo

    Mexican Singer Pedro Fernández Brings the Ave Fénix Tour to Stockton – Don’t Miss It!

    Flutter Entertainment’s SWOT Analysis: Uncovering the Growth Potential Amid Challenges

    Dylan Efron Shares Sweet ‘DWTS’ Rehearsal Photos Featuring His Little Sister Olivia – yahoo.com

    Dylan Efron’s Heartwarming ‘DWTS’ Rehearsal Moments with Little Sister Olivia

    Diane Keaton, Oscar-Winning Star of ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘The Godfather,’ Dies at 79 – Yahoo

    Diane Keaton, Oscar-Winning Star of ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘The Godfather,’ Dies at 79 – Yahoo

    THE VAMPIRE LESTAT Shares First Look Teaser Trailer (And It’s Fangtastic) – Yahoo

    THE VAMPIRE LESTAT Shares First Look Teaser Trailer (And It’s Fangtastic) – Yahoo

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Tracking DNA and RNA Together To Unlock Disease Insights – Technology Networks

    Unlocking Disease Insights by Tracking DNA and RNA Together

    The future of battery technology – Engineer Live

    Revolutionizing Energy: Exploring the Future of Battery Technology

    How Can Boosting Your Travel Experience with Less Technology Lead to a More Relaxing Vacation? All You Need to Know About This Latest Trend – Travel And Tour World

    How Can Boosting Your Travel Experience with Less Technology Lead to a More Relaxing Vacation? All You Need to Know About This Latest Trend – Travel And Tour World

    Davenport CornCon Cybersecurity Conference helps students explore technology, AI use – KWQC

    Davenport CornCon Cybersecurity Conference Ignites Student Passion for Technology and AI Innovations

    Inside Europe’s military technology resurgence – NBC News

    Europe’s Bold Comeback: Unveiling the Rise of Cutting-Edge Military Technology

    Vicor Corporation: Great Technology, Execution Trapped In Time (NASDAQ:VICR) – Seeking Alpha

    Vicor Corporation: Innovative Technology Hindered by Lackluster Execution

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Bluesman James Montgomery Will Perform In Falmouth – CapeNews.net

    Blues Legend James Montgomery Ready to Ignite the Stage in Falmouth

    Mexican singer Pedro Fernández to make Ave Fénix tour stop in Stockton. Tickets, schedule – Yahoo

    Mexican Singer Pedro Fernández Brings the Ave Fénix Tour to Stockton – Don’t Miss It!

    Flutter Entertainment’s SWOT Analysis: Uncovering the Growth Potential Amid Challenges

    Dylan Efron Shares Sweet ‘DWTS’ Rehearsal Photos Featuring His Little Sister Olivia – yahoo.com

    Dylan Efron’s Heartwarming ‘DWTS’ Rehearsal Moments with Little Sister Olivia

    Diane Keaton, Oscar-Winning Star of ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘The Godfather,’ Dies at 79 – Yahoo

    Diane Keaton, Oscar-Winning Star of ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘The Godfather,’ Dies at 79 – Yahoo

    THE VAMPIRE LESTAT Shares First Look Teaser Trailer (And It’s Fangtastic) – Yahoo

    THE VAMPIRE LESTAT Shares First Look Teaser Trailer (And It’s Fangtastic) – Yahoo

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Tracking DNA and RNA Together To Unlock Disease Insights – Technology Networks

    Unlocking Disease Insights by Tracking DNA and RNA Together

    The future of battery technology – Engineer Live

    Revolutionizing Energy: Exploring the Future of Battery Technology

    How Can Boosting Your Travel Experience with Less Technology Lead to a More Relaxing Vacation? All You Need to Know About This Latest Trend – Travel And Tour World

    How Can Boosting Your Travel Experience with Less Technology Lead to a More Relaxing Vacation? All You Need to Know About This Latest Trend – Travel And Tour World

    Davenport CornCon Cybersecurity Conference helps students explore technology, AI use – KWQC

    Davenport CornCon Cybersecurity Conference Ignites Student Passion for Technology and AI Innovations

    Inside Europe’s military technology resurgence – NBC News

    Europe’s Bold Comeback: Unveiling the Rise of Cutting-Edge Military Technology

    Vicor Corporation: Great Technology, Execution Trapped In Time (NASDAQ:VICR) – Seeking Alpha

    Vicor Corporation: Innovative Technology Hindered by Lackluster Execution

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home Business

Cutting GST on fruit and veg not the best way to help those in most need

June 18, 2023
in Business
Cutting GST on fruit and veg not the best way to help those in most need
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By Dr Ranjana Gupta* of The Conversation

The Conversation

Many fresh vegetables and fruits.

Photo: 123RF

Opinion – Food prices are rising at the fastest rate in almost four decades, with fruit and vegetables up more than 22 percent in the past year.

As often happens during a cost of living crisis, there have been calls to remove the goods and services tax (GST) from fresh produce.

But is this actually a good idea? And if not, what alternatives might there be to help people currently struggling to afford fruit and vegetables?

Supporters of removing GST argue the move will make healthy food more accessible for struggling families.

Removing GST from fresh produce is also meant to help tackle New Zealand’s persistent obesity epidemic – which accounts for 8.2 percent of total health expenditure (about NZ$135 million) annually.

It is a popular idea. In 2022, 76 percent of New Zealanders surveyed supported removing GST from food.

But as some economists have warned, tinkering with the tax system might not actually deliver the desired results for low-income families. Put simply, those with the income to buy more fruit and vegetables – high-income households – will benefit the most from GST exemptions on fresh produce.

New Zealand currently has one of the most comprehensive and effective goods and services tax systems globally. Any changes would require substantial evidence demonstrating the benefits of change.

Additionally, as many households struggle to cover costs, any additional cash gained from eliminating GST from fresh produce will go toward more pressing expenses like rent and power. If the government wants to fight obesity during a cost-of-living crisis, it needs to develop a more targeted approach.

As food prices continue to rise month after month, it’s getting harder and harder for whānau to put kai on the table. It’s obvious to everyone, the public and the experts – we need to remove GST from kai! https://t.co/cONiCSA7dt pic.twitter.com/pgHAgknvlz

— Te Pāti Māori (@Maori_Party) February 1, 2023

Looking beyond GST

My research, to be published later this year, looks into the literature on GST and tax expenditure from New Zealand, Australia, the United States and United Kingdom. I examined how different countries use a variety of tax measures to help low-income families buy fruit and vegetables.

I wanted to examine whether dropping GST would help reduce obesity by making nutritious food more accessible. In fact, the literature suggests it does not significantly improve affordability and healthy eating choices for such families.

These households tended to allocate additional income (or tax saved) to other food or non-food items, such as meats, clothing or housing.

My study shows there are more targeted options within New Zealand’s welfare system that can be used to help struggling families afford healthier foods.

Targeted assistance overseas

One option is to issue a GST refund on fresh fruit and vegetables purchased.

But there is no guarantee the extra money will be spent on purchasing healthy food. Similar to removing GST before purchase, the extra money will likely be diverted to other more pressing priorities, particularly in low-income households.

If the primary aim of making fresh fruit and vegetables more affordable is to increase healthy eating, then a cash rebate won’t help. But there are policies in use overseas that New Zealand could use as a starting point to directly help low-income families afford fresh produce.

One particularly interesting option is the targeted smart-card system for buying fruit and vegetables. In the US, it’s known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program scheme (SNAP), and in Britain as the Healthy Start scheme.

SNAP provides monthly funds for people to buy food using a benefit card (similar to a debit card) to buy groceries. They can’t use it to buy non-food items or alcohol. Healthy Start is for pregnant women and mothers with children under four to buy healthy food and milk, also delivered via a type of debit card.

What targeted help could look like

In New Zealand, we already have the food or hardship grants available through Work and Income. But these are only given in exceptional circumstances, and are limited to once every six months.

These food grants can also be used to buy anything an individual or family needs, including toiletries and other non-food items.

Introducing a regular and targeted healthy food grant via an electronic smart card would be a more effective way to ensure low-income families are able to access healthy food.

The cards could be protected with biometric data to prevent abuse or transfer. Eligibility criteria and account limits could be revised annually depending on the inflation rate to avoid any erosion of the card’s value.

Lunch box with sandwich, fruit, vegetables, water.. Top view with copy space on black background.

A targeted smart card could help low-income families access fruit and vegetables, regardless of the cost of living, Dr Gupta says.
Photo: 123RF

Other ways to encourage healthy eating

The literature shows that a targeted smart-card system could help reduce New Zealand’s high obesity rate during the current cost of living crisis, if combined with an increase in education to prioritise healthy eating.

Instead of removing GST, the revenue gathered could be used to provide that extra nutritional information and education.

In 2013, the UK government implemented its “Healthy food for healthy outcomes” policy. Healthy food – and knowledge about nutrition – is treated as a vital element of school life and learning.

My research found that the costs of tampering with New Zealand’s current GST system far outweigh the benefits likely to accrue from such a change. A targeted smart-card scheme is arguably a more effective measure to improve affordability and healthy eating habits – and the benefits would outweigh the setup costs.

* Dr Ranjana Gupta is a senior lecturer in taxation at Auckland University of Technology

This story was originally published on The Conversation.

Read More

Tags: businessCuttingfruit
Previous Post

No Crypto Bull Run in 2023 – Bitcoin and Altcoins Will Plunge Hard, Predicts Analyst

Next Post

Extra credit card charges made on thousands of accounts

Preview: could Premier League fitness make the difference in recurve men? – World Archery

Could Premier League Fitness Transform the Future of Recurve Archery?

October 15, 2025
The $2.5 trillion ocean economy is at a crossroads. Capital must act now – Fortune

The $2.5 Trillion Ocean Economy at a Crossroads: Why Urgent Capital Investment Is Essential

October 15, 2025
Bluesman James Montgomery Will Perform In Falmouth – CapeNews.net

Blues Legend James Montgomery Ready to Ignite the Stage in Falmouth

October 15, 2025
30-year decline in Kansas health can be reversed with leadership, report finds – Kansas Reflector

30-year decline in Kansas health can be reversed with leadership, report finds – Kansas Reflector

October 15, 2025
Scorecard ranks Northwest politician as the most Trump-aligned Democrat in Congress – OregonLive.com

Northwest Politician Touted as the Most Trump-Aligned Democrat in Congress

October 14, 2025
CVYS reiterates ban on activities threatening ecology and public order – Nagaland Tribune

CVYS Takes a Strong Stand to Protect Ecology and Public Safety

October 14, 2025
Inaugural Implementation Science Symposium Highlights Excitement for Burgeoning Discipline – Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Inaugural Implementation Science Symposium Ignites Excitement for Emerging Field

October 14, 2025
Scientists find the brain’s hidden pulse that may predict Alzheimer’s – ScienceDaily

Scientists find the brain’s hidden pulse that may predict Alzheimer’s – ScienceDaily

October 14, 2025
You know you’re smarter than someone if these 10 thought patterns are obvious to you but not them – VegOut

10 Thought Patterns That Show You’re Smarter Than Most People

October 14, 2025
New Strider Report Reveals Scope and Scale of U.S. Academic Research Done in Collaboration with PLA-Affiliated Entities on STEM Technologies – PR Newswire

New Strider Report Reveals Widespread U.S. Academic Collaborations with PLA-Linked Entities in STEM Technologies

October 14, 2025

Categories

Archives

October 2025
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Sep    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (867)
  • Economy (889)
  • Entertainment (21,761)
  • General (17,598)
  • Health (9,931)
  • Lifestyle (901)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (889)
  • Politics (899)
  • Science (16,099)
  • Sports (21,388)
  • Technology (15,868)
  • World (872)

Recent News

Preview: could Premier League fitness make the difference in recurve men? – World Archery

Could Premier League Fitness Transform the Future of Recurve Archery?

October 15, 2025
The $2.5 trillion ocean economy is at a crossroads. Capital must act now – Fortune

The $2.5 Trillion Ocean Economy at a Crossroads: Why Urgent Capital Investment Is Essential

October 15, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version