The article examines how the ultraprocessed diet in America can be traced back to the industrial farming practices that began after World War II, particularly in the upper Midwest. Dominant crops like corn and soybeans have become the foundation of the U.S. food system, covering a substantial area of cropland. These crops not only provide feed for livestock but also serve as a source for many processed food ingredients. The transformation in farming practices was significantly influenced by federal policies that encouraged the use of modern agricultural technologies and reduced the cultivation of diverse crops.
These crops are the raw materials the food industry transforms into the dizzying array of products that fill hundreds of millions of bellies every day.
Corn and soybean are the ultimate source for nearly half the calories the average American consumes each day.
It's not overly reductive to say it boils down to a half century of intentional federal farm policy.
U.S. farms in the upper Midwest underwent an industrial revolution, which led to the dominance of corn and soybeans in American agriculture.
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