Reply #30: Some of our food supply is concentrated in that way.

[MineralMan]

Not all of it, however. A smart consumer can make choices that do not rely solely on those suppliers. However, you are correct that a lot of our food is at least processed, packaged, and delivered by a small group of suppliers. Much of that food, however, is grown independently. For example, my parents own a small citrus and avocado farm in California. Most of their production is sold to and processed by someone else. Their name is not on it. It's a big problem, and is unprofitable for my parents much of the time. They're too old to change at 87. They're planning to sell the farm, which will become a hobby farm for someone in the LA area who has the money to buy the place. The oranges and avocados will still come to market the same way they do now, but the new owner will make even less money, since he or she will end up having a custom farmer do the work. My parents do that now, since they aren't able to do all the necessary work any longer.

Much of our food is grown by individual or family owners, but is processed and marketed by that small group of companies. You're right about that, for sure.

I buy as much as possible from local Minnesota and Wisconsin sources. I'm aware of who's handling the food I eat.