The Missing Nuance in Our Food Conversations
February 14, 2026
| Friends, First of all, Happy Valentine’s Day. I hope this Saturday is filled with love and sweet treats for you and your families. I was looking for local candy options this year and came across this article highlighting North Carolina confectioners. Just when I think our state cannot get any better, I learn something new that makes me appreciate it even more. Alright, here’s what I cannot stop thinking about this week: the MAHA Center’s Super Bowl commercial with Mike Tyson declaring we are all “obese, fudgy people” and urging people to “eat real food.” I watched it in real time, scratched my head, watched it again on YouTube, and then just sighed, not because I disagree with the premise, but because I could already anticipate the conversations to come. I understand the message they are trying to convey. But what I walked away with was this: moderation is apparently dead, and broad, catchy slogans are crowding out real solutions in our food system conversation. Let’s discuss. On one hand, I agree with Tyson and even with MAHA on this point. Eating whole, fresh food is good for you. That is not up for debate. As my dietitian reminds me, no one becomes unhealthy from eating too much fruit, no matter what Facebook and TikTok influencers try to sell in the form of supplements or extreme meal plans. From the perspective of an animal agriculture producer or fruit and vegetable grower, we should celebrate any message that puts real, farm-grown food at the center of the American diet. As I shared in the January 10 Dispatch, I welcomed the new dietary guidelines. They reaffirm what our farmers have long known: balance matters, protein is good, produce is good. At the same time, we are watching closely as MAHA pursues broader changes to the American agriculture system that could have real impacts on producers here in North Carolina and beyond. Where this commercial falls flat for me is in the call to action. “Eat real food” sounds simple. But it assumes simplicity in a system that is anything but simple. The reality is this: dietary guidelines only improve public health if families can follow them, and families can only follow them if they can afford to. Food prices remain elevated. Many communities still lack consistent access to full-service grocery stores. School nutrition programs are navigating tight budgets. Farmers are facing higher input costs, labor shortages, regulatory uncertainty, and razor-thin margins. Telling people to “eat real food” without helping them figure out how to make that change work in their daily lives is a hollow message dressed as an $8 million commercial. If we truly want Americans to eat more “real food,” then we must also talk about: Strengthening domestic agriculture so farmers can continue producing abundant, affordable food. Supporting supply chains that move fresh products efficiently from farm to shelf. Preserving nutrition programs that help low-income families access healthy options. Investing in rural infrastructure and workforce development. Encouraging moderation and balance instead of demonizing entire categories of food. Because here’s the truth: farmers are not the enemy of public health. They are its foundation. North Carolina agriculture feeds millions of families every single day. Our producers grow fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, dairy, poultry, pork, beef, and more responsibly, efficiently, and under some of the highest regulatory standards in the world. If the national conversation about food turns into finger-pointing instead of partnership, we risk undermining the very people who make “real food” possible. Some days, real food for me looks like a salad with grilled chicken and fruit on the side. Other days, it looks like whatever I can grab between meetings, maybe a fig bar from Costco or a protein shake. I also love a McDonald’s chicken nugget on occasion. For most families, “real food” exists on a spectrum shaped by time, budgets, and access. That nuance is missing from this message. Yes, let’s encourage Americans to eat real food. But let’s also recognize the hands, time, and policy framework that make that food possible. We need policies that make healthy choices accessible, regulatory clarity that gives farmers stability, and honest conversations about affordability. And we must protect a food system that, while not perfect, remains one of the safest and most productive in the world. That’s the work. And that’s where agriculture must continue to have a seat at every table. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. I read every response to the Dispatch that I receive, so don’t be shy! |
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| Tori Rumenik Executive Director, North Carolina Ag Partnership |