Renewed Hope for U.S. Food Policy Reform

Over the past four years, hope turned to disappointment over lost opportunities to "make agriculture less fossil-fuel dependent, re-localize food systems, and rebuild America’s food culture." Does a second term for Obama mean more of the same?

1 minute read

November 13, 2012, 12:00 PM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Tom Laskawy reviews the Obama administration's track record on food and farm policy as opportunities, and hope, for much needed reform fell by the wayside. "As Obama's first term wore on – despite First Lady Michelle Obama's
aggressive initial push on her Let's Move anti-obesity campaign - it
became far more "business as usual" in food and farm policy than
reformers had hoped."

Disappointing decisions for reformers included White House intervention on genetically modified alfalfa, meat industry reform that was "stopped in its tracks," watered down junk-food marketing restrictions and delayed implementation of the Food Safety Reform Act.

So is there reason to believe things will change in a second Obama administration? "With the corporate Sword of Damocles no longer dangling above it, my
guess is the administration will return to a more reform-minded
position," posits Laskawy. "I've also heard rumors the administration will renew its push
for junk-food marketing restrictions."

"The president has a pile of food-related rules, regulations, and
initiatives that have spent the last year sitting on desks awaiting
action. As I see it, it won't take long for him to show us whether he
will."

 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012 in Grist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

47 seconds ago - Inside Climate News

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA