Why does it cost more to have ethics?

I have thought about this often but it was brought up today by Catherine, who has a daughter full of ethics and compassion but no deep pockets. None of us has deep pockets of course, but why does it seem to be that if you care about others or sentient beings there seems to be a direct correlation between that and how little money you have. Perhaps it is because those that care for others realize that the true wealth involves giving and caring, not in accumulating.

Either way, it presents a problem for many young people just starting out on the path to independent living. They shouldn't have to compromise their ethics just because it is much, much cheaper to purchase highly processed and chemically altered food. We all should be able to buy healthy & nutritious food that is still in it's natural form - the best way to eat (according to most doctors/nutritionists you talk to). Why? We all know that food and clothing are big businesses. And that us little guys don't really stand a chance.

So a simple question: Does anyone know of any way of  obtaining healthy, ethical choices at a reasonable cost? Perhaps people can start some sort of food/clothing exchange based on good deeds.
For example, someone takes out your trash for a week and in return, you help purchase groceries?

Just a thought. Consider it, and if you have any ideas, feel free to pass them along. We have m;uch to be proud of with our younger generation, and this will only add to that .