I do feel like food should cost more, because we aren't paying farmers a living wage. It has to cost more.

The quote by Alice Waters — “I do feel like food should cost more, because we aren't paying farmers a living wage. It has to cost more.” — addresses the ethical and economic issues embedded in the food system, particularly regarding the value of food and the compensation given to those who grow it. Waters argues that the relatively low prices we often pay at the grocery store come at a hidden cost: underpaid farmers and unsustainable agricultural practices. In her view, if we truly valued the labor and care that go into producing food, we would be willing to pay higher prices that reflect its real worth.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Waters’s long-standing role as a pioneer of the farm-to-table movement and founder of the acclaimed restaurant Chez Panisse. Over decades, she has championed organic farming, local sourcing, and fair labor in agriculture. Her advocacy extends beyond cuisine to social justice, arguing that good food is a right, but also that it should be ethically produced—which includes ensuring that farmers and farmworkers earn a living wage.

By stating “it has to cost more,” Waters is not promoting elitism but rather a restructuring of the food economy to ensure equity and sustainability. Cheap food often relies on exploitative labor, industrialized agriculture, and long-distance transportation that harms the environment. Paying more for food, she suggests, would support small farmers, reduce reliance on harmful practices, and restore a healthier connection between people and their food sources.

Ultimately, Waters’s quote is a call to rethink our relationship with food—not just as consumers, but as participants in a larger system of economic and environmental justice. She challenges us to see value not only in what ends up on the plate but also in the people and processes behind it. Her message advocates for a shift in mindset: from expecting food to be cheap to understanding that truly sustainable food comes with a responsible cost.