BEYOND BIG FOOD: A 3 part Manifesto
‘BIG’ HAS FAILED US
The food system should not be this big and complicated- The era of "big" has failed us. “Big” is not better. Big Food, Big Tech, and Big Government each promised convenience, but delivered only dependence. They are fragile behemoths, out of touch with real communities. They build weak systems with no redundancy and call it 'optimization'.
- We are waking up. Local, decentralized communities all over the world are creating resilient systems with authentic connections between farmers, food, and families.
- These local food systems produce healthier produce, stronger economies, neighbors who care for one another, and resilience during crises due to redundancy, which is a better outcome than optimization.
Conclusion 1: Local food isn’t just a choice - it’s the path to freedom and security.
‘BIG FOOD’ HAS NO ACCOUNTABILITY
Faceless companies motivated by investor pressures should not decide what you eat- When your customers are your neighbors, accountability is built-in, leading to better practices and healthier food. In this sense, smaller communities are naturally more authentic — their values are the foundation of their business. Meanwhile, big companies are mostly faceless entities with no soul and immense financial pressure from shareholders - the perfect environment for taking shortcuts. They are producing over-processed food, harming our health and the earth in their quest for another dollar.
- Self-reliance is true freedom. Outside money demands compromise. I'm committing never to raise venture capital or make deals that would force profits over principles. This means my company will grow slower, and that is fine. Trees grow slowly too, but they don't blow over in a storm.
- By prioritizing values over unchecked growth, we maintain the integrity to drive true innovation and positive change.
Conclusion 2: Companies with far-away shareholders can be bullied into compromising their values; I have rejected those pressures from day one.
VALUES-DRIVEN TECH
Who is behind the tech in your food system?- We don't need machines to replace people: we need tools that empower humans to reclaim control. We need tools to remove barriers between consumers and farmers, not to add more layers of separation.
- Food system innovation should encourage human connections, increase transparency, and help people understand where their food comes from.
- By combining the power of small, local systems with value-driven technology, we're lifting up local food producers, closing the gap between field and fork, and strengthening local communities.
Conclusion 3: Ethical technology in food only comes from companies with the freedom to prioritize local empowerment