In the 1930s, during the Depression, farmers made up about 20 percent of the U.S. population and 8 percent of our gross domestic product (GDP). Today, farmers only comprise about 2 percent of our population, and less than 1 percent of the GDP.

There are a lot of reasons for the drop-off in farming over the years, but it is due in large part to the unequal distribution of funds guaranteed by the U.S. Farm and Food Bill, which provides greater funding to growers of commodity crops like wheat, rice, corn, cotton and soybeans, rather than to producers of livestock and farmers who grow fruits and vegetables. (Fruits and vegetables are considered "specialty crops.")

Are you aware of what you're eating and why? If unhealthy foods, like potato chips and cookies are cheaper than fresh fruits and vegetables, do low-income families living on Food Stamps have much control over their nutrition? When crops like wheat, corn and rice are produced in mass quantities and therefore provided to consumers at a lower price than fruits and vegetables, which is more attractive to our nation's schools?

These are just a few of the issues that are controlled by the U.S. Farm and Food Bill, which in turn affect us all. It gives us all something

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to think about when we consider that right now, one out of three kids is predicted to develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.

Commodity subsidies make up about one-quarter of America's farms, but they get about 90 percent of the funding -- Connecticut farmers typically grow "specialty crops" like fruits and vegetables.

Of the 435 Congressional districts, 35 districts are getting 70 percent of commodity payments. Another U.S. Farm and Food Bill fact is that 20,000 cotton farmers, who primarily distribute their crop to other countries, will split about $4 billion. Compare that to 50,000 fruit and vegetable farmers who split $35 million.

That is why we often find that healthy foods are more expensive -- if farmers of "specialty crops," such as fruits, vegetables and nuts, and producers of livestock don't receive sufficient financial help from the government, the costs to cover the expense of growing, production, distribution and land maintenance result in a more expensive product on the market.

Which is why it is so important that we take advantage of Connecticut's unique Farmer's Market programs. Started in 1986, the program now boasts about 87 farmer's markets throughout the state, and each year the demand is growing, according to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

In addition to providing nutritious food for seniors, women and children who are nutritionally at risk, the farmers markets are designed "to expand local market for Connecticut-grown products," according to the Department of Agriculture Web site.

Westport's Farmer's Market will start on Sunday, May 18, and run through Oct. 19. This year it will be held, rain or shine, in the upper Imperial Avenue parking lot, every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Supporting the town's farmer's market is a good way to show support for Connecticut's farmers, and to show that Connecticut's citizens are serious about investing in proper nutrition.

Those who are interested in learning more about the U.S. Farm and Food Bill, which was most recently voted on last year and will be up for review again in 2012, can visit Oxfam at www.oaaf.org; the Farm and Food Policy Project at www.healthyfarmbill.org; the Sustain­able Agriculture Coalition Farm Bill Action at www.sustainableagriculture coalition.org; American Farmland Trust at www.farmland.org; or check out www.watershedmedia.org for a list of other links.