President Biden’s administration reshaped food and agriculture policy by addressing corporate consolidation, investing in climate-smart farming, restricting pesticides and improving nutrition security programs.
Lisa Held reports for Civil Eats.
In short:
- The USDA advanced regulations to curb corporate control in agriculture, bolstering protections for small farmers and investing $500 million to support small meatpacking plants.
- Climate-smart initiatives included $3 billion for sustainable farming practices, though critics flagged that major agribusinesses received some funding.
- The EPA phased out chlorpyrifos, reducing its use by 70%, and strengthened pesticide protections for farmworkers.
- The FDA banned brominated vegetable oil and Red No. 3, and updated lead limits in baby food, though some experts argue more restrictions are needed.
Key quote:
“Folks from across the country have pulled together towards our common goal of ending hunger, improving nutrition, and supporting the farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and food workers who grow and produce our food.”
— USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack
Why this matters:
Food systems impact public health, climate resilience and economic equity. Policies to limit corporate power, provide protection against pesticides and strengthen food safety can improve health and mitigate climate-related disruptions, but their effectiveness will depend on sustained political support and regulatory enforcement.
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