The food industry

Antitrust lawsuits are being pursued against the meat industry for sharing data on costs and pricing.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-6CmV8yEVz/?igsh=MWdpbGxpcDY2ZXN4OQ==

What about the potato industry? I bet they are fucking us too.

That’s another issue. Michael Pollan lists all of the pesticides used in growing potatoes in one of his books. He reports that the farmers won’t eat them. They tend to grow their own, minus the heavy chemicals.

Last chapter of The Botany of Desire.

Yet another problem that gets harder as population grows, and only becomes manageable when population goes down.

But the problem is alleviated to some extent when the population stops wasting so much food.

While that's true as far as it goes, it's not a great help. A population of 10 billion people means no system of food production can be sustainable, no matter how conscientiously we handle our consumption.

Of course I don't mean to imply by that that all people contribute equally to the harm. Rich populations who have the ability to consume on scales unimaginable until the 20th century are of course the bulk of the problem and have the most need to control their growth. Also, I should acknowledge that there are some signs of population growth leveling off, which is at least a hopeful sign. It won't really be enough until we see actual population decline, but at least some populations are growing less cancerously.

>4 kiparsky: Never fear; Gates is here!

Bill Gates-backed startup creates 'butter' from thin air and here's how it is an eco-friendly option

https://m.economictimes.com/news/new-updates/bill-gates-backed-startup-creates-b...

Ten food companies and their 2023 profits

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_EclnbJhj-/?igsh=MWxmMjUwemdpM2Ywaw==

Tyson Foods is being investigated by the USDA

https://investigatemidwest.org/2024/08/16/tyson-foods-is-being-investigated-by-t...

This investigation follows Tyson Foods’ recent closure of nine meatpacking plants across the country, beginning in early 2023. The company is also in active litigation for alleged violations of antitrust law.
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The USDA is still developing a proposed rule to address “problematic” practices of contract growers taking out excessive debt to work with companies. The agency said it anticipates finalizing this rule by early next year.

In May, Investigate Midwest reported that chicken growers who worked with Tyson were left with millions of dollars in debt after the company shuttered plants. Many of them faced bankruptcy and foreclosures, while others retired, found work outside of farming or sold their land to pay off debt.

Broad Coalition Commends Federal Lawmakers for Introducing Legislation to Support Farmers' Transition Out of Factory Farming

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/broad-coalition-commends-federal-lawmak...

"Farmers want to produce food in ways that are good for people and the planet, but aren't always empowered to do so in a consolidated food system like ours. I'm thrilled to introduce the Industrial Agriculture Conversion Act, which unlocks climate-forward conservation dollars to assist producers who want to transition out of the factory farm model," said Congresswoman Adams. "Whether pasture-based or plant-based, farmers want to farm sustainably, humanely and resiliently. I'm glad to support them in partnership with Representative McGovern, Senator Booker, and dozens of organizations on the ground."

500,000 Moms Come Out Swinging Against Big Pork, Foreign-Owned Smithfield
Hinson-Marshall EATS Act included in House Farm Bill Must be Defeated at All Costs

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/09/12/2945534/0/en/500-000-Moms-...

The so-called (Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression) EATS, led by Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, and Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-IA, is backed by the National Pork Producers Council and their largest member, Smithfield, who owns one in every six sows in America, and whose purchase was financed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2013. Moms For America is opposed to the EATS Act because it would upend state right’s and cede greater control of America’s agriculture over to China.

Bayer/Monsanto has written parts of the draft Farm Bill, disallowing political subdivisions of states from banning the use of pesticides and protecting the company from lawsuits.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DATlOcUvpgy/?igsh=ZXBndTB3OXQ2a3F3

Grocery Prices Set to Rise as Soil Becomes 'Unproductive'

https://www.newsweek.com/grocery-prices-set-rise-soil-becomes-unproductive-20014....

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 33 percent of the Earth's soils are already degraded and more than 90 percent could become degraded by 2050.
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"By taking immediate action to restore and protect our soils—through practices like regenerative agriculture, integrating trees, crops and animals—we can help future-proof food prices, and enhance the resilience of farms and farmers to climate and market risks.

"Protecting our soil isn't just an environmental priority; it's an economic and social imperative."