
How the Supermarket Helped America Win the Cold War (Update)
Freakonomics Radio
Surplus Breeds Innovation
The emergence of industrial meat production in the U.S. arose from massive surpluses of cheap corn and soybeans, which facilitated concentrated livestock feeding operations. This led to an increase in meat consumption per capita due to the affordability of meat driven by inexpensive grain production. A significant portion of U.S. corn and soybeans is directed towards feeding livestock, yet a surplus remained. This surplus dictated the rise of high fructose corn syrup, which became a favored sweetener in the food industry, transforming food processing by offering a more manageable liquid form compared to powdered alternatives.
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