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Take Back Control of Your Food!

There are two million farmers and 300 million eaters in the United States. Standing between them are a handful of corporations who control how food gets from one side to the other.

Let’s change the equation.

For the first time ever, the Department of Justice is on a fact-finding mission looking at how big business controls food and farming -- and they want to hear from YOU. They are specifically seeking comments and stories about how corporate control of the food system affects average citizens. If you're concerned that just a few big businesses have so much power over where your food comes from and how it's produced, tell the government! Your comments will help to inform a series of hearings on the issue next year.
 
E-mail your comments to agriculturalworkshops@usdoj.gov BY DECEMBER 31. The few minutes you take to write your letter could curb big business's power over our food!
(Easy template below; sample letters and more topic ideas at www.usfoodcrisisgroup.org/)

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TEMPLATE: Comments Regarding Agriculture and Antitrust Enforcement Issues in Our 21st Century Economy

State who you are -- parent, teacher, farmer, cook, gardener, community leader, eater... whatever feels relevant.

State that you are concerned about the consolidation of corporate power in the food and agriculture sector.

State your primary reasons why. Some examples to get you started (you can find more food for thought at www.usfoodcrisisgroup.org):

  • you've noticed prices rising at the supermarket and don't feel like you can do anything about it (a lot of big food companies have made record profits this year -- even as consumers are paying more for food.); 
  • you're concerned about your family's safety (outbreak and spread of bacteria like E. coli happens much faster when meat and vegetables are processed in big centralized locations.);
  • local farms are going out of business (many small farmers can't compete with prices set by industrial farms and consolidated buyers).

This section can be short and informal; don’t worry about spelling out the connections too precisely. The important thing is to express from your own experience what most concerns you or how you've been affected by the effects of corporate consolidation in the food industry. Be honest and speak from your heart.

Thank them for the opportunity to submit comments.
Sign your name and address
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E-mail your comments to agriculturalworkshops@usdoj.gov BY DECEMBER 31.  Or you can submit two paper copies of your comments to Legal Policy Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 5th Street, NW, Suite 11700, Washington, D.C. 20001. All comments received will be publicly posted.