The aisles of most American grocery stores give an overwhelming illusion of choice. A closer look, however, quickly reveals that most of the meat, grain, milk -- and even the grocery stores themselves -- are all controlled by just a few corporations.
This handful of giant corporations has grown so powerful that they not only dictate how our food is grown but also what farmers are paid and how much consumers are charged. What's worse, these same corporations are exporting their industrial food model worldwide, grabbing up land from peasants and small producers who would farm it sustainably for survival. It's time to change the equation.
Tell Attorney General Holder and USDA Secretary Vilsack to end corporate control of food and agriculture.
Dear Attorney General Holder and Secretary Vilsack,
I am writing to thank you for taking seriously the concerns of family farmers, rural advocates and consumers by holding workshops that address the lack of competition and excessive market concentration in our food and agricultural sectors. For too long, unchecked corporate mergers have been allowed to put the profits of a few agribusiness corporations above the interests of public health, rural economies, and consumer fairness.
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As a result of decades of increased consolidation of America's food system, our nation's food is less safe, more vulnerable to food safety outbreaks and our environment more polluted. Even worse is the destructive impact this corporate influence has had on the ability of our nation's family farmers to stay on the land and earn a living. Family farmers and rural America remain the backbone of our nation, but unfortunately, as a result of years of corporate influence over our food and agricultural polices, rural America has suffered depopulation and underemployment, burdensome debt and lack of real economic opportunity.
To renew our faith in America's justice system, create opportunities for family farmers and farmworkers, and rebuild a healthy fair and nutritious food system, our nation's antitrust laws must be vigorously enforced without bias. I urge the Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Agriculture to thoroughly examine the control of our food system and take immediate action to address unfair practices.
