As the saying goes -it’s inevitable
Benjamin Franklin is attributed with the famous phrase, “In this world, nothing can be certain, except death and taxes,” which he wrote in a letter in 1789 as part of his discussion of the new U.S. Constitution which he hoped would be durable for the future of this new free country. While many of us would credit Mr. Franklin for this quote, it belongs to Daniel Defoe from his controversial political work in his 1726 Political History of the Devil where he wrote: “Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more for firmly believed.” Nevertheless, as we come to realize truth on many subjects through healthy debate and fair-minded skepticism, the inevitable march of Father Time overshadows our search for common sense in the free world Mr. Franklin envisioned.
The reality of life and the dreams of individuals finds foundations in principles nurtured at birth and affirmed through education, relationships and environment. Call it what you will, once your foundation is set and built upon it, it is a monumental task to change. It takes an enormous amount of will power from a free will which rings loudly out of the U.S. Constitution – Freedom.
Yet as a nation, political forces of government come to bear to ensure the foundation of freedom is maintained with a common sense set of guidelines. Can we all agree on some of those, or will division be created over what we might believe to be foundationally necessary. One topic that has become a political difference for debate is healthy eating and its affect on the business of agriculture.
The Make America Healthy Again Commission released the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, a sweeping plan with more than 120 initiatives to reverse the failed policies that fueled America’s childhood chronic disease epidemic on September 9, 2025. The strategy outlines targeted executive actions to advance gold-standard science, realign incentives, increase public awareness, and strengthen private-sector collaboration. It seeks to unpack the potential dietary, behavioral, medical, and environmental drivers behind this issue and establish “a clear, evidence-based foundation for the policy interventions, institutional reforms, and societal shifts needed to reverse course.”
The Assessment begins with data and statistics on rising levels of childhood obesity, diabetes, neurodevelopmental disorders, childhood cancer, mental health issues, and autoimmune disorders, and identifies four potential drivers behind this rise in childhood chronic diseases: poor diet, aggregation of environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity and chronic stress, and overmedicalization.
In essence, the Assessment is a leadership effort from the top of the governmental food chain to establish a new foundation to maintain the health of our country. While it may surprise some that the politics of food has created drama and debate, the search for the truth about food exists.
The “politics of food” encompasses the decisions, policies, and power dynamics surrounding production, distribution, regulation, and consumption of food. It examines how agricultural practices, trade, marketing, dietary choices, and access to food intersect with ethical, economic, environmental, and health concerns. Key issues include the influence of corporations, the impact of government policies like the Bill, the debate over foods and additives, efforts to combat malnutrition and obesity, and the push for sustainable agriculture.
Key Aspects of Food Politics
• Production: How food is grown, including agricultural practices, labor, animal welfare, and environmental impact.
• Distribution: The systems and processes for getting food from farms to consumers, often involving complex global supply chains.
• Regulation: Government rules and policies regarding food safety, labeling, additives, and quality.
• Consumption: The choices people make about what to eat, influenced by factors like advertising, culture, health information, and economic status.
Areas of Debate and Controversy
• Corporate Influence: The role of food and agriculture industries in shaping policies and consumer behavior through lobbying and marketing.
• Public Health vs. Corporate Interests: Debates over issues like large portion sizes, sugary drinks, and the use of additives, where public health recommendations can conflict with the interests of food companies.
• Sustainability: Balancing agricultural productivity with environmental protection, resource management, and long-term ecological health.
• Food Security and Access: Addressing global and local hunger, poverty, and ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all populations.
• Ethics and Values: Debates over the ethics of certain farming practices, the sustainability of food systems, and the balance between tradition and progress.
Cheers to all of us around the dinner table who have the freedom to choose, which exists despite death and taxes being the only certainty.
To view the rest of the 2025 fall Partners articles please click here.
