Latest Stories — Food & Power

The Next Phase of Robinson-Patman Litigation

The FTC withdrew its Robinson-Patman lawsuit against Pepsi, but private plaintiffs are bringing similar suits. New claims targeting promotional allowances could challenge unfair pricing norms in food retail.

Retail, EnforcementClaire KellowayAugust 21, 2025Primary Feature, Robinson-Patman, grocery, walmart, Groceries, Pepsi, FTC

Wayne-Sanderson Acquires Harrison Poultry

The DOJ approved Wayne-Sanderson’s takeover of the 21st largest chicken processor, Harrison Poultry. The deal has minimal near-term risks to competition, but contributes to the broader trend of industry concentration.

Pesticide Industry Campaigns to Avoid Cancer Liability

After paying billions to settle Roundup cancer suits, Bayer launched a multi-pronged lobbying campaign to turn its legal defense into law. An appropriations rider passed Tuesday is the tip of the iceberg.

Seeds & Agrichemicals, PolicyClaire KellowayJuly 24, 2025Bayer, lawsuit, Secondary Feature

Budget Bill Expands Subsidies for Largest Farms, Cuts SNAP

As Republicans added work requirements for SNAP, they also made it easier for non-active farm owners to collect more federal subsidies.

PolicyClaire KellowayJuly 11, 2025farm bill, subsidies, commodity, SNAP, Secondary Feature

Lawsuit Alleges Deed Restriction Gave Albertsons a Local Monopoly

Grocery chains use little known property controls to prevent competition from moving in next door or into their store after they’re gone.

RetailClaire KellowayJune 25, 2025Groceries, Albertsons, Secondary Feature

Roark Acquires Another Fast Food Chain, Dave’s Hot Chicken

If it’s a food franchise, there’s a good chance one private equity firm, Roark Capital, owns it. Private equity ownership exacerbates the labor problems inherent in franchising.

MAHA Report’s Rhetoric Contradicts Administration’s Actions

The MAHA report says food and chemical corporations should be held accountable for making children sick but the actions of Congress and the Trump administration reveal different priorities.

Seeds & Agrichemicals, PolicyClaire KellowayMay 29, 2025MAHA, Chemicals, nutrition

States Try to Ban Surveillance Pricing in Grocery Stores and Beyond

Grocery stores have many ways to show different customers different prices based on their personal data. Several states seek to ban so-called “surveillance pricing.”

RetailClaire KellowayMay 15, 2025grocery, Instacart, personalized prices, data, Secondary Feature

USDA Repeals New Poultry Salmonella Standards

USDA has little power to punish poultry plants with excessive salmonella levels or prevent tainted product from getting to market. The Trump administration withdrew a proposal that would have changed this.

Flush with Cash, Cal-Maine Plans to Acquire Egg Patty Maker and Pay Out Family Owners

As Americans struggle with record egg prices, the largest U.S. egg company plans to transfer its record profits to a few family owners and buy up an egg patty maker in cash.

USDA Cuts Funds for Local Food Purchasing

Schools and food banks expected $1 billion from USDA to buy local foods this year. The Trump administration pulled those contracts, hurting farmers, kids, and rural development.

How Gutting the CFPB Will Hurt Rural America

Rural Americans struggle with medical debt, banking deserts, and discriminatory farm lending - dismantling the CFPB leaves them more defenseless to financial exploitation.

PolicyClaire KellowayMarch 6, 2025CFPB, discrimination, Debt, Secondary Feature