Booker: Current Food System Fundamentally Broken

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) says the COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered flaws in the nation’s food supply system and it is “fundamentally broken.”

Addressing the National Food Policy Conference this week, the former Democratic presidential candidate said, “We simply cannot go back to business as usual.” Booker claims the food system is broken for supply chain workers, farmers, rural communities and from a public health perspective. Booker places blame on multinational corporations and industry consolidation.

The lawmaker cited numerous bills he supports to reform the beef supply chain, including the Farm System Reform Act that would allow more bargaining power for ranchers. Booker also cited the Agribusiness Merger Moratorium act that would halt consolidation within the food system, along with the Climate Stewardship Act and the Local FARM Act.

Booker, a self-described vegan, said, “We must create a better future where we phase out big factory farms and instead put our faith and support behind independent family farmers and robust local food systems.”