Corn dominates the modern food system from "summary" of The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Corn is everywhere in the modern food system. It is not just a foodstuff but also a raw material, an energy source, and even an industrial feedstock. From the high-fructose corn syrup sweetening our beverages to the corn-fed meat on our plates, corn has become the foundation of our food supply. But how did this single plant come to dominate our diets and our agriculture to such an extent?The story of corn's rise to dominance begins with the agricultural policies of the United States government. In the early 20th century, the government started subsidizing corn production as a way to support farmers struggling through the Great Depression. These subsidies continued to grow over the years, leading to a surplus of corn and a need to find new uses for it. This surplus of corn led to the development of corn-based products like high-fructose corn syrup, which soon found their way into a wide range of processed foods. The industrialization of agriculture also played a significant role in corn's domination of the food system. Large-scale monoculture farming practices made it e...
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