Food Literacy for All Weekly Speakers: Austin Frerick

Mar. 18 – Austin Frerick

Book Talk – Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry by Austin Frerick

“Barons” is the story of seven titans of the food industry, their rise to power, and the consequences for workers, eaters, and democracy itself. It paints a stark portrait of corporate consolidation, but it also shows that a fair, healthy, and prosperous food industry is possible—if we take back power from the barons who have robbed us of it.

Reading Materials:

Book: Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry, by Austin Frerick (You can check out this book at your local bookstore or library)

Chapter 2: “The Grain Barons”

Chapter 4: “The Dairy Barons”

Speaker Biography:

Austin Frerick is an expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. He worked at the Open Markets Institute, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Congressional Research Service before becoming a Fellow at Yale University. He is a 7th generation Iowan and 1st generation college graduate, with degrees from Grinnell College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison.