Did the Vietnam War Break America's Food System?

Available for over a year

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 BBC Radio 4