ABSTRACT
There has been a growing criticism of the global food system (Pollan, 2006). Concerns raised by critics are numerous, including the impacts of the structure of agricultural production on the environment, health and nutrition, food security, and rural community well-being. Large-scale agriculture relies heavily on chemical inputs, such as fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, and growth hormones. These chemicals have the potential of contaminating the water supply and endangering the health of farm workers and consumers. Our food system contributes to the high rates of obesity due to the high fat and sugar content in processed foods. Increased concentration and centralization of the food system in the hands of a few corporations may increase the cost of food for consumers, and also depresses commodity prices farmers receive. Many analysts believe that centralizing the food production system and placing control in just a few corporations increases the risk of disease and contamination in our food system as well. Finally, there continues to be fear that an industrialized farming system leads to the destruction of our rural communities on all fronts, including social and moral aspects (Berry, 2009).
