The food system is under attack and has been for a long time.

Beautiful eggs from my backyard.

In 2026, there have been over 162 food recalls, fertilizer shortages, calls to use more pesticides/herbicides, and food prices surging; one could say our food system is under attack, but it has been for many years.

The problem is most have been under the spell of convenience; food magically appears on the shelf, not giving it a second thought about the amount of work involved in getting that piece of food on their plate.

Now that we are seeing more and more problems in the food system, many are asking themselves, what do we do? Do we demand the government take control? Do we stock up like doomsday preppers and hope we have enough to last us?

I think there is a common-sense answer: yes, there should be some government regulation, ensuring companies cannot mass poison people; sadly, they have been for years. I also believe that having a small stock of food is important; the reality is that what is critical is creating strong local food systems.

Not the current ultra-centralized, monopolized system we have. The system in place has been designed to allow control, poisoning, and leaving people vulnerable.

A recent recall: Taylor Farms initially stated the outbreak of Cyclospora was a mistake by the FDA, but they deleted the statement and have made no further comments. I wrote about it here:

Last week, over 19 million eggs have been recalled due to Salmonella from Midwest Poultry Services, or what is now known as MPS Egg Farms. It is a large private company, but it continues to expand its control across the states, buying up smaller producers.

Food should not be a corporate endeavor. It should be a local community endeavor. A large outbreak at this scale would be nearly impossible if most had laying hens or plenty of local farmers selling eggs to their community. That is an easy solution.

But it’s not easy when trying to apply this idea. Many people do not want to deal with livestock, do not have the capacity or money, or live in residential areas with HOA’s that restrict chickens.

So the system, as they say, is working as it was designed to do, allowing the centralization of our goods and resources.

Convenience is nice; I am not arguing this, but it comes at a price, and we are beginning to pay that price more and more.

A hundred years ago, when convenience food, grocery stores, and mass production of food became the norm, I am sure it was such a relief for many of those struggling to make it to harvest—but convenience comes at a cost.

Especially when a few control that convenience.

A thriving food system must require many hands, not a few. Not mass factory farms, but millions of small producers growing, raising, and making food for their community, so that when an outbreak happens, it only affects a few, not millions.

The food system was under attack long before Trump came to office. Still, many have shared across social media apps that this has been a plan in motion by the Heritage Foundation, discussed in their government outline in Project 2025.

Project 2025 encouraged the government to massively cut SNAP, free lunches for public school children, roll back USDA regulations, and cut funding for the USDA, which the current administration has been doing.

SNAP and free lunches are still going, but the USDA has been massively changed. Could the recalls be linked? Possibly. Another aspect that has been on my radar since last year is the USDA and large corporations implementing AI for food regulation.

Using AI for ingredient testing seems irresponsible. Automation and mass production seem to be the answers for those who hope to control the food supply, but is that answer what is best for creation, animals, and the people?

Source.

The USDA now has a page dedicated to its ‘Artificial Intelligence Strategy,’ quote: USDA is advancing the responsible use of artificial intelligence to support our mission of serving farmers, ranchers, producers, and rural communities.

Solutions to our food system are not AI, not more control, not more money into the hands of the corrupt; the solution is for more people creating strong local food systems.

That solution requires immense work from us, the people. But if we wish to have true sovereignty, we must make that choice.

Food is a critical piece. One that cannot be overlooked when securing freedom. If our food is controlled, we are at the will of those in power.

What can you do?

Support local; this is critical to supporting those around you who are already implementing local food systems.

Grow, raise, and make what you can. If you have a small parcel, something can be grown. In Revive the Table, I’ve been writing a series on utilizing your land for food security; get 4 months 50% off to get the past articles and the next few here.

50% Off 4-Months

Through mutual aid networks, this can help others and help you fill in the gaps with food.

Start community growing projects. We are stronger together!

Just start with action. It’s not about doing it all; it’s about supporting a movement, and when we all begin participating, things shift!

Maybe the Creator is telling us this modern experiment is not working; maybe we should listen to how we continue to desecrate creation for profit and create something far more nourishing.

Talk soon,

Shelby

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