The Rise of Hog Barons and Concentration in the Pork Industry

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The chapter delves into the dominance of a hog baron overseeing millions of hogs in the pork industry, highlighting the shift from family farming to large-scale production and the impact on workers. It discusses the history of American food production, the effects of consolidation post-Reagan era, and the current situation faced by immigrant workers. The conversation also explores the monopolization in the food industry, changes in antitrust laws, and the exploitation of workers exemplified by companies like Driscoll's in the berry market.

Whether you're at the grocery store or a restaurant, food is becoming obscenely expensive. It's easy to point to inflation as the sole culprit, but that's only a narrow view of a much bigger picture. For years, the food industry has been falling to monopolists who have been edging out independent farmers. Food quality has gone down, prices have gone up, and it has been a shocking disaster for the environment. This week, Adam speaks with Austin Frerick, an expert on agriculture and antitrust policy, a fellow at Yale, and author of Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry. Find Austin's book at factuallypod.com/books

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