Factually! with Adam Conover

The "Food Barons" Jacking Up Your Grocery Bill with Austin Frerick

Jul 17, 2024

Austin Frerick, an expert on agriculture and antitrust policies, discusses monopolies in the food industry leading to increased costs and lower quality products. Topics include hog barons in the pork industry, impact of agricultural practices, exploitation of labor, environmental concerns like almond milk production, and historical ties between monopolist finance and fascism.

01:07:11

Episode guests

Austin Frerick

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The food industry is dominated by monopolies, leading to lower quality, higher prices, and environmental damage.

Monopolies exploit vulnerable, undocumented workers, perpetuating low wages and poor conditions in the food system.

Powerful food barons manipulate narratives and market practices, maintaining control and perpetuating exploitation in the industry.

Deep dives

The Influence of Monopolies on the Food System

The food system is plagued by monopolies that exert undue influence, leading to higher prices and decreased competition. These monopolies control essential aspects of food production, distribution, and pricing, resulting in limited choices for consumers. The dominance of these monopolies affects everything from the quality of food to the treatment of workers, creating a system that prioritizes profit over sustainability and consumer well-being.

Intro

4min

The Rise of Hog Barons and Concentration in the Pork Industry

15min

Impact of Agricultural Practices on the Food System

8min

Exploring Marketing Strategies of Food Companies

3min

Environmental Impact and Labor Exploitation in the Food Industry

13min

Unpacking the History and Impact of Monopolist Finance on Fascism and Food Industry Manipulation

6min

Exploring Right-Wing Views on Food System and Challenges of American Food Industry

15min

Reforming the Farm Bill and Advocating for Small-Scale Farmers

6min

Book Promotion, Patreon Support, and Sponsor Introduction

2min

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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