The illusion of choice: five stats that expose America's food monopoly crisis

[marmar]

The illusion of choice: five stats that expose America’s food monopoly crisis
Here are some key findings of the investigation the Guardian published this week into America’s monopolized food system


(Guardian UK) When you walk into a US grocery store the shelves seem to be teeming with choice, with countless brands appearing to offer every type of food and drink.

But a joint investigation published this week by the Guardian and Food and Water Watch showed how this choice is largely an illusion. In fact, a handful of mega firms dominate every link of the food supply chain: from seeds and fertilizers to slaughterhouses and supermarkets to cereals and beers.

And that is not good news for consumers in terms of choice and real competition on prices, or for small and medium-sized farmers given little choice on what they grow or which animals they raise, while food industry workers face low pay and high risks.

....(snip)....

Here are some of the key figures and charts from our deep analysis of sales data from thousands of supermarkets across the US:

1. Almost 80% of dozens of everyday grocery items are supplied by just a handful of companies

Our research started by identifying dozens of different key grocery types that Americans buy every day, including different kinds of veggies, fruits and grains, prepared foods, beverages and animal products.

We then studied the scanner sales data from thousands of US stores that is compiled by market research firms for these products. .............(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/18/america-food-monopoly-crisis-grocery-stores

[PortTack]

1. Where you can, buy locally, either from organic grocers or from the local produce stands

[Mosby]

2. Slotting fees need to be banned.

That would be a start.

[malthaussen]

3. Capitalism at its finest. n/t

[ret5hd]

4. Every dollar is a vote for the kind of world you want.

Sometimes there are no good choices…but at least think about what may be the less bad choice.