Walk into any grocery store, and you’ll find shelves stocked with inexpensive processed foods, bulk meats, and cheap produce. On the surface, this seems like a win—low prices mean more people can afford to eat, right? But the reality is much more complex. The true cost of cheap food goes far beyond what we see on our grocery receipts. The hidden costs—healthcare expenses, environmental destruction, and economic inequities—are devastating, and we are all paying the price.
Industrialized food systems prioritize efficiency and profit over sustainability, public health, and community resilience. At Carolina Farm Trust, we believe there’s a better way: investing in local food systems that nourish both people and the planet.
The Hidden Costs of Cheap Food
1. The Health Crisis: Processed and Industrialized Diets are Making Us Sick
Ultra-processed, mass-produced foods have led to a global health crisis. Diet-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions are on the rise, largely fueled by cheap, high-calorie, nutrient-poor foods.
- The CDC reports that over 42% of American adults are obese, increasing their risk for chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
- Poor diets cost the U.S. healthcare system over $50 billion annually in obesity-related treatments alone (National Institutes of Health).
- Food insecurity and poor nutrition disproportionately impact low-income communities, exacerbating health disparities across racial and economic lines (USDA Economic Research Service).
Industrial agriculture mass-produces food at low costs, but the trade-off is a diet lacking in essential nutrients. Highly processed foods are cheap because they are subsidized and mass-produced—but the long-term costs on public health are enormous.
2. The Environmental Toll: Destroying Land, Water, and Air
Our industrial food system is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, biodiversity loss, and water pollution.
- Industrial agriculture accounts for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions (United Nations FAO).
- Over 70% of freshwater consumption is used for industrial farming, depleting water resources for communities (World Bank).
- Scientists predicted a loss of 24 billion tons of topsoil annually due to unsustainable farming practices, reducing soil fertility and increasing food insecurity (Earth.org).
Large-scale factory farms and monocultures degrade ecosystems, making food production less resilient in the long run. Meanwhile, local farms using regenerative agriculture restore soil health, conserve water, and reduce emissions.
3. The Economic Burden: Who Really Profits?
The cheap food industry thrives on government subsidies, low-wage labor, and corporate consolidation, leaving farmers, workers, and consumers to pay the price.
- The U.S. government provides more than $30 billion in subsidies annually, most of which goes to large-scale agribusinesses rather than small farmers (Cato.org).
- Four companies control 85% of the meat packing industry, limiting competition and driving down farmer profits (USDA).
- Small farmers struggle to compete, with over 100,000 farms lost in the U.S. between 2011 and 2020.
While industrial food corporations see record profits, small farmers, farm workers, and rural communities face economic instability. Investing in local food systems strengthens local economies, creates jobs, and keeps food dollars circulating within communities.
A Better Solution: Local Food Systems for a Sustainable Future
We don’t have to accept an industrial food system that prioritizes profit over people. A shift toward local, sustainable food networks can help reverse the damage while ensuring fresh, nutritious food for all. Investing in small, local farms keeps food dollars in communities, supports family-owned farms, and provides fair wages. It also reduces reliance on volatile global supply chains, making food systems more resilient to economic and climate disruptions.
Locally grown food is fresher and more nutrient-dense than processed, industrialized food. Communities with access to fresh food experience lower rates of diet-related diseases, stronger immune systems, and improved mental health. Sustainable farms use regenerative practices that restore soil health, cut water pollution, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Locally sourced food also travels fewer miles, lowering carbon footprints and preserving biodiversity.
Food deserts leave millions without access to fresh, affordable food. Carolina Farm Trust’s initiatives—CFT Market, urban farms, and the Food Is Life program—work to bring local food to underserved communities, integrate fresh food into healthcare, and provide nutrition education.
Your Role in Building a Just Food System
Every dollar spent on local food supports healthier communities, a cleaner environment, and a stronger local economy.
- Shop at farmers’ markets and support local growers.
- Advocate for policies that support sustainable agriculture.
- Donate to organizations like Carolina Farm Trust to expand access to fresh, locally grown food.
Join us in creating a food system that puts people over profit.
Donate Today and help build a healthier, more equitable future.
