Donald Trump, known for his love of fast food, recently made a bold promise to make America healthier. How did this junk food lover connect with voters worried about their diets?
The Democrats have struggled with their food policies for years. On one side, you have folks like Sen. Cory Booker, who advocate for healthier eating and better farming practices. On the other side is Tom Vilsack, a former Agriculture Secretary who supports the current system.
Kennedy’s rise might support the status quo instead of changing food production for the better.
Booker’s group, which I like to call the Kale Caucus, has tried to promote healthier eating, but they haven’t gained enough traction against Vilsack’s agribusiness-friendly approach. This gap has allowed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to step in as a major voice criticizing the food system.
Now, with Trump appointing him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, there are concerns. Kennedy’s previous controversial views on vaccines and health issues might overshadow valid concerns about food production. Instead of moving towards better food practices, his influence could reinforce the existing problems.
Vilsack, while saying the right things about healthy eating, has supported large farms that produce a lot of cheap corn and soybeans loaded with pesticides. These crops create many health issues. In fact, over half of the calories people eat in America come from these products, leading to serious health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure.
During his time, Booker fought against these trends. But his voice was largely drowned out by Kennedy’s message. While Biden and Harris ignored food system issues, Kennedy partnered with alternative health advocates to highlight problems, albeit surrounded by conspiracy theories.
Democrats might be hesitant to challenge big agribusiness, fearing it would cost them votes in rural areas. But this fear may not be justified. In the 2020 Democratic primary, candidates like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Bernie Sanders gained support for their plans to break up large agricultural companies, which resonated well in places like Iowa.
While big agribusiness makes a lot of money, it employs far fewer people due to automation.
Vilsack’s approach may be misguided. Despite Biden once winning Iowa by a large margin, Trump increased his lead in the state in 2024. Simply catering to agribusiness doesn’t guarantee success.
As Democrats look to connect with voters focused on food issues, they might benefit from Booker’s insights. He suggests that federal support should prioritize farmers growing fruits and vegetables and invest in local food systems. This isn’t just smart policy; it could also be smart politics.
