Ad Man for Big Ag
Not only has McDonald’s been a pioneer in marketing products to children it has been a pioneer in shaping supply chains to meet its demand for cheap, consistent, and long-lasting food. So, when it comes down to it, Ronald isn’t just the leading salesman for fast food, but for the industrial food system at large. More sales means big returns for Cargill and Tyson’s factory farms, Archer Daniels Midland’s high fructose corn syrup processing plants, and Monsanto’s pesticide production facilities. Between the taxpayer subsidies for ingredients and the homogenization of the food supply, Ronald is able to pitch a “value” at the register that doesn’t really factor in the true environmental and health costs of mass producing so much unhealthy food.