• PILLARS OF POWER IN THE FOOD SYSTEMS

  • • Corporations: Large food corporations, including agribusiness, food retailers, and fast-food chains, wield significant influence over food production, distribution, and marketing.

    • Seed and Agrochemicals: A few companies, such as Bayer-Monsanto, Syngenta-ChemChina, and Corteva Agriscience, dominate the seed and agrochemical markets. These companies control a significant portion of the global seed supply and agricultural inputs.

    • Food Processing: A handful of large companies control a significant portion of food processing and manufacturing in the U.S. This includes companies like Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills. These companies produce a wide range of branded and private label products across various food categories.

    • Retail: In the retail sector, Walmart, Kroger, Amazon (through Whole Foods acquisition), and Costco wield significant power. These retailers not only sell food products but also have a strong influence on pricing, distribution, and sourcing practices.

    • Meatpacking: In the meat industry, a small number of companies, including Tyson Foods, JBS USA, Cargill, and Smithfield Foods, dominate the market. These companies control a large portion of the processing and distribution of beef, pork, and poultry.

    • Grocery Distribution: The grocery distribution sector is dominated by a few major players like Sysco and US Foods, which provide distribution services to restaurants, institutions, and retailers.

    • Government Policies and Regulations

    • Healthcare System: Public health policies, nutrition guidelines, and healthcare practices can influence dietary choices and health outcomes, which in turn affect the food system.

    • Economic Forces: Market dynamics, including consumer demand, pricing, supply chain logistics, and the influence of large food corporations, impact the entire food system from production to consumption.

    • Social and Cultural Influences: These encompass diverse factors such as dietary habits, cultural food traditions, advertising and marketing, food access, and food justice issues.

    • Technology and Innovation: Advances in agricultural technology, biotechnology, food processing, and distribution systems drive efficiencies, productivity, and sometimes controversies (like GMOs).

    • Environmental Factors: Climate change, soil health, water availability, biodiversity, and sustainable farming practices are central concerns for the long-term viability of the food system.

    • International Trade and Globalization: Trade agreements, imports, and exports influence food availability, pricing, and the competitiveness of domestic producers.

    • Community Engagement and Advocacy: Grassroots movements, community organizations, and advocacy groups work to address issues such as food insecurity, food access, and sustainable agriculture practices.

    • Education and Research: Universities, research institutions, and extension services provide knowledge and innovation to support sustainable agriculture, nutrition education, and food system resilience.

• Slow Food - A new indigenous-run campaign to protect the world’s vanishing food diversity

• Date: Monday June 10

• Overview: By the end of the session, participants will reflect on their own relationship to race and racism and how it manifests in our food systems.

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