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Did the Vietnam War Break America's Food System?

Jim Waterson investigates how the politics of the Vietnam era changed agriculture in the US and pushed the country towards a national diet of highly processed foods.

Jim Waterson investigates how the politics of the Vietnam era changed agriculture in the US and pushed the country towards a national diet of highly processed foods.

When Richard Nixon stood for re-election in 1972, he had two big problems - the Vietnam war, and food prices. He hired a man called Earl Butz, who made a decision that would shape what Americans eat today - helping to push the poorest citizens to eat highly processed, less nutritious foods.

Presenter: Jim Waterson
Contributors: Zellie Thomas, Tom Philpott, Dr Laura Schmidt

Mixing: Alexis Adimora
Producer: Hannah Varrall
Executive Producer: Katherine Godfrey and Robbie MacInnes

A Novel production for 麻豆社 Radio 4

Available now

14 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Tue 18 Jan 2022 09:30
  • Tue 27 Feb 2024 13:45