A PATH TO INDEPENDENCE
A shift has occurred over the last half century that has made the American population largely dependent upon the industrial food industry. On the surface this may not sound like such a bad thing. These large corporations produce ample amounts of food and make it readily available all over the country. Never before has food been so plentiful and in such a wide variety, but all of this comes at a price. Since these elite businesses are profit driven, their primary focus is to provide as much food at as little cost as possible. These modern farming practices have led to mono crops and over-farming which depletes the soil and does little to replenish the land with rich, organic matter that produces life. Because of this, farms have resorted to the use of highly toxic fertilizers, pesticides, weed killers, and GMOs. This toxic food is then made into highly processed, shelf stable pet food that is considered “Fit for Human Consumption” (and yes, I’m talking about human food, however the same applies to dog food as well). Most of the ingredients that make up this food should never be consumed by any living organism, yet it makes up the majority of the average American’s diet. These large corporations also fix the markets by setting the prices and are able to produce food so cheaply and efficiently that they drive many of the local farmers out of business, thus making the general population even more reliant on the industrial food complex.
In 1945 it is estimated that 45% of Americans grew and produced their own food. As of 2022, that number has decreased to .1%. In 1880, over 50% of Americans were employed in agriculture. Today, that number is below 2%, with over 30% of that being farms that are owned by elite corporations. This has led to a population that has become sicker, weaker, and more obese than ever before. It is clear that these large corporations do not have people’s best interests in mind. Change will not come from the top down, it has to start with us as individuals. Every person that supports and buys from their local farms is not only gaining access to much healthier produce, they are also strengthening and empowering their community and taking power away from the industrial food complex and giving it back to the people. Farmers that were on the verge of being driven out of business now have a chance to thrive and as more local farmers move to regenerative farming practices, the decades worth of abuse that the soil has suffered will also be given the chance to recover. Breaking away from the industrial food industry has the potential to unlock the doors to true health and eventually lead to a population that is self-sufficient, reliant on no one but themselves to thrive and flourish.
