In America today, four corporations control more than 80% of the beef market, four companies dominate 70% of the pork industry, and just a handful of conglomerates manage most of the nation’s grain processing, seed production, and food distribution. This is not a coincidence—it’s a deliberate design that favors profit over people, scale over sustainability, and monoculture over community.

At Carolina Farm Trust, we believe food should come from farmers—not factories. And we’re actively building a food system that reflects that belief.

 

How Corporate Consolidation Took Over Our Plates

The corporate grip on agriculture didn’t happen overnight. Over the past 50 years, policies have shifted in favor of vertical integration—where large companies own every step of the process, from seed to supermarket shelf. This gives them near-total control over pricing, production, and availability.

Meanwhile, small farmers have been squeezed out:

The results? Higher food prices for consumers, fewer choices in the grocery store, and a dangerous dependency on a supply chain vulnerable to shocks—from pandemics to climate disasters.

 

The Real Cost of a Broken System

Corporate monopolies aren’t just unfair—they’re dangerous.

  • In 2020, COVID-19 outbreaks in meatpacking plants shut down huge portions of the meat supply. With no local alternatives, shelves went empty.

  • In 2021, rising fuel and transportation costs led to inflated grocery bills and food shortages in low-income neighborhoods.

  • Today, rural farmers are paid pennies while CEOs of agribusiness giants see multi-million-dollar bonuses.

Who pays the price?
 We all do—but especially marginalized communities and small-scale growers trying to compete in an uneven game.

 

CFT Market: A Fairer Distribution Alternative

Carolina Farm Trust is actively dismantling this model. With our CFT Market and regional infrastructure, we’re creating a people-powered food economy built on fairness, transparency, and justice.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Local Farmers Get Paid Fairly
We work directly with small to midsize farmers and ensure they receive equitable compensation—no middlemen, no corporate markup.

Shorter Supply Chains Mean Lower Emissions and Greater Resilience
By keeping distribution regional, we reduce carbon emissions and avoid long-distance supply chain disruptions.

Community-Controlled Access
We place fresh, local food directly into Charlotte neighborhoods—often at below-market prices—to ensure access for all.

Redistribution of Power
 Instead of hoarding control at the top, we build networks that uplift farmers, food workers, and underserved families equally.

 

This Isn’t Just a Food Issue—It’s a Justice Issue

When corporations monopolize food, they monopolize health, wealth, and agency. Rural Black farmers are disproportionately shut out of land ownership. Urban families of color face inflated prices and food deserts. And small producers, especially those focused on regenerative and sustainable agriculture, are priced out of mainstream markets.

Carolina Farm Trust is not just fighting for food—we’re fighting for equity.

 

What You Can Do

If we want a food system that works for everyone—not just shareholders—we need to invest in the infrastructure that supports farmers, not factories.

Here’s how you can help:

Donate to CFT
 Your support helps us expand cold storage, kitchens, and delivery hubs that make local food possible.

Shop Local When You Can
 Seek out farmers’ markets, co-ops, and local grocers who source regionally.

Spread the Word
 Talk to friends and family about the hidden costs of corporate food systems. Awareness is the first step toward change.

 

Let’s Put Power Back Where It Belongs—In the Hands of Farmers

The future of food doesn’t have to be factory-controlled. With your help, we’re proving there’s another way—rooted in community, equity, and care.

Donate today to support a food system built for people, not profit.