Since the mid-20th century, industrial farming practices have grown tremendously - and so have the price tags of essential good-quality foods in grocery stores all around the United States. This style of agricultural production rose in popularity to keep up with the demand of an ever-expanding population - providing greater efficiency by using the technological advancements of the time (Industrial Agriculture 101, 2020). Some of these advancements include genetically modifying foods, incorporating antibiotics and additive hormones in livestock, and the use of chemical fertilizers in modern agricultural production. Although industrial food corporations were able to develop enormous quantities of cheap sustenance in shorter periods of time, this transition to Factory Farm or commercialized farm models continues to leave lasting impacts on our economy and worsen health outcomes. Whether we are discussing the treatment and fair compensation for industrial farmworkers who suffer from unsafe working conditions, the greater nutritional value that small farm products contain, or even how regionalization of farming could help mitigate food insecurity, it is time that we work towards the decentralization of food systems to make nutrition equitable.

In the 90s, small and medium-sized farms made up around 50% of all agricultural production in the United States; in recent years this number has been reduced to less than a quarter (Big Ag, 2022). Now, we have companies like Purdue and Tyson Foods that have taken over the farming industry, prioritizing cutting costs and fast production. Unfortunately, farmers who work for these “Big Ag” companies are victims, as they too struggle to keep up with the increasing demand and can feel pressured to make unethical financial cuts to maximize profit which can result in animal mistreatment, unsafe working conditions, and unhealthy farming approaches. In addition to these practices, large farming businesses exploit their workers by forcing them to endure dangerous working conditions that expose them to environmental toxins, which could lead to hearing loss and respiratory issues (Big Ag, 2022). Furthermore, it is also quite common for workers to sustain physical injuries while on the job.

Although large-scale industrial farming does indeed provide many jobs, they are largely low-paying positions that do not encourage career growth. Alternatively, small local farms have played a pivotal role in our economic development since they encourage sustainability and healthy competition amongst rural and farm economies. These smaller businesses function as protective factors for the environment through more thoughtful farming methods that minimize various forms of pollution and enhance our natural resources by decreasing land depletion. Furthermore, they are a huge driving force for the betterment of the economy as they support rural communities by keeping money circulating in the area and spark the continuous expansion of businesses and marketing systems.

Moreover, there are stark differences between the farming methods of smaller farms compared to industrial farms. In terms of crop production, smaller farms are far better at sustaining biodiversity as their techniques promote healthy ecosystems without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides (Food and Water Watch). On the other hand, industrial farms are known for monocropping where the same crop is planted annually without variations - negatively impacting the soil and leaving crops vulnerable to diseases, thus requiring the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. In most cases, smaller farms are free of genetic modifications and choose seeds that are suitable for local growing conditions; many small farms engage in traditional breeding practices that develop stronger, more resilient crops. Industrial farms, however, incorporate high levels of genetic modification in factory farming crops. Additionally, when it comes to pest control, smaller farms typically use responsible methods that include strategic crop selection, crop rotation, and mulching (Food and Water Watch). Factory farms use pesticides that are harsh on the environment and pose a threat to workers, consumers, and neighboring communities.

These important distinctions play immense roles in the ways we as consumers are impacted by the foods we are purchasing from our grocery stores to feed ourselves and our families. The crops and livestock produced in smaller farms are consistently fresher, as they are usually sold from farms directly to consumers in places like farmers’ markets. These foods consist of far fewer additives than factory farm foods. Factory farms are also heavily subsidized by the government through insurance plans to grow crops like corn, soy, and wheat that are frequently being used to produce the unhealthy, preservative filled foods found in our local grocers.

When discussing foods and how farms operate their businesses, it is important to prioritize regionalization, as small farms do. This ensures strong local and regional food systems which eliminates the need for long-distance transportation and allows for direct sales to consumers through farmers’ markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSA is a form of direct marketing that consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the land becomes a sustainable farm for and by the community (Community Supported Agriculture, 2023). The industrialized agriculture model creates a monopoly where a handful of corporations hold all control and require large centralized facilities where our food goes through long distances to reach the consumer. This leaves consumers with more financial vulnerability as prices of these goods could fluctuate with crises such as droughts and rising fuel prices; this raises costs for consumers and lowers the amount that farmers receive for their crops.

While certain current issues come and go, there are an astounding amount of people who are constantly suffering from food insecurity every day. In 2021, 10.2% of households were considered food insecure in the US (Food Security & Nutrition Assistance, 2023). What's worse is that in Durham, North Carolina alone, there 2,890 individuals were food insecure between 2020 and 2021 (Food Bank, 2021). This can be attributed to many socioeconomic factors, but the most consequential one is having access to healthy foods. There are over 6,500 food deserts in the U.S., meaning that these are places where economic and geographical barriers limit residents’ access to nutritious foods (Bayer, 2023).

These barriers can have immense impacts on the health and well-being of individuals experiencing these circumstances. Food insecurity and poor nutrition can lead to obesity which is a huge risk factor for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many cancers. The stresses of food insecurity and economic hardship are also risk factors that can contribute to poor health behaviors like smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating, and physical inactivity. For many low-income families, inaccessibility to low cost medical care is common, so they often face the difficult choice of meeting a copay or purchasing food for their families. This increases the risk of developing more severe health conditions that become more costly to treat as time goes by.

Current options for healthy food access include local food pantries, community gardens, the ability to use SNAP/EBT benefits at local Farmers’ Markets, as well as the Double Bucks Program offered at the Farmers’ Markets, which matches SNAP benefits dollar for dollar so that individuals can afford to purchase nutritious foods. These are commendable initiatives, but still restrict access to healthy meals as food pantries primarily provide dry goods with many preservatives, community gardens don’t have the scale necessary to support the masses, and SNAP and EBT benefits at Farmers’ Markets do not account for all the individuals that are food insecure since many do not qualify for SNAP/EBT programs. Additionally, those who manage to acquire said benefits on average are limited to about $189 a month, which is not realistic in comparison to the average spent by North Carolinians monthly - $341.10 (SNAP 2023; Flynn 2023).

Ultimately, by developing sustainable food systems and focusing on local, small farms, we can ensure fair wages and safe working environments, reduce food insecurity by increasing access to quality foods, and save money on long- and short-term health issues that arise from malnutrition. For these reasons, it is undeniable that as a society we must push our government representatives to evolve our agricultural systems so that farming practices are ethical, sustainable, and nutritious.