A recent report from Family Farm Alliance discusses the effects of consolidation and concentration of the agrifood system. This report discusses the effects of having few businesses controlling the food supply and how that influences what we eat.
This is what concentration in our food system looks like:
Farmers end up using production practices which are environmentally harmful
Farmers accepting unfair payment plans that reduce their ability to make a living
Farm workers are exploited
Land degraded by extensive monocropping and chemical inputs
Consumers left with limited choices
The report comes with strong calls for action to decentralize the food system including policy to encourage the development of alternative production and to create a food system that is equitable to all. This is a great idea! Let me know in the comments how you think the food system should be.