Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. campaigned on a comprehensive anticorruption platform aimed at reforming U.S. food and health systems. In an October 2024 video filmed outside the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Kennedy explained that “current agricultural policy is destroying America’s health at every level,” citing its detrimental effects on the economic viability of farmers, environmental sustainability, and public health. He outlined an agenda that includes revising regulations to support smaller producers, promoting sustainable farming practices, and addressing conflicts of interest in USDA dietary panels.
Kennedy’s agriculture platform aligns with Farm Action’s mission to build a fair, sustainable, and healthy food system that empowers farmers, workers, and rural communities to feed America. He has been a staunch critic of the USDA’s corporate entanglement, saying that the agency “represents and promotes the interests of big factory farms and industrial agriculture, of big companies like Monsanto, Cargill, Tyson, Perdue, and the big petroleum fertilizer companies… USDA operates full time to punish and destroy the small farmer in this country and to promote the mercantile interests of these big industrial agriculture interests.”
Kennedy added that when Donald Trump “gets me inside the USDA, we’re going to give farmers an off-ramp from the current system that destroys soil, makes people sick, and harms family farms.” But Kennedy has been appointed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), not the USDA. So, to what extent could Kennedy advance these priorities if confirmed as Secretary of HHS? We dove into how he could advance an agenda that strips undue corporate influence and achieves a healthier food system if he is confirmed.
HHS SECRETARY POSITION EXPLAINED
The Secretary of HHS supervises the following agencies:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Regulates food safety, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other health-related products;
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Leads efforts to monitor and prevent infection, diseases, and public health threats;
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): Oversees Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP);
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): Leads medical research and clinical trials to advance health knowledge;
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF): Oversees social service programs like welfare and child protection;
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Administers programs that support health workforce development and improve healthcare access.
The Secretary of HHS also serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet, advising the President on health policy matters and making recommendations on legislation, public health initiatives, and areas that require federal intervention. This position also engages in interagency collaborative work through joint task forces and advisory councils.
KENNEDY’S POTENTIAL FOR MEANINGFUL REFORM WITHIN HHS
Influence Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) Update
As Secretary of HHS, Kennedy would have direct oversight of the DGA, which are released every five years and serve as a cornerstone for shaping U.S. food policy. These guidelines inform a variety of federal programs, including SNAP, WIC, and school meal programs, and define what is considered “healthy” in these contexts. By using the DGA as a lever, Kennedy could align public health and agricultural policy in ways that benefit both farmers and consumers.
The DGA could be leveraged to advocate for food types that not only improve public health but also support environmentally sustainable farming practices. Specifically, the guidelines could emphasize the consumption of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and pasture-raised proteins while also introducing explicit language about the environmental benefits of organic and regenerative farming practices. For example, incorporating a simple principle such as “choose organic” into the DGA could provide consumers with clear guidance that promotes both personal health and environmental stewardship. Kennedy also made clear his interest in removing corporate influence and conflicts of interest from this process by prohibiting members of the DGA Committee from taking money from food or drug companies.
Enforce Pesticide Regulations and Shape Public Discourse
The FDA, USDA, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) share oversight of pesticides. The EPA sets tolerances for pesticide residues in food, the FDA enforces those limits, and the USDA monitors residue levels. As Secretary of HHS, Kennedy would be responsible for ensuring pesticide limits are enforced.
Further, Kennedy could exert considerable influence over how pesticides are discussed in relation to public health, driving broader awareness of the issue. Farm Action has developed policies that support alternative production methods for farmers, who benefit from reducing expensive inputs like pesticides and synthetic fertilizers and are then able to access premium markets. This includes our work promoting farming methods that reduce or eliminate certain inputs, which allows farmers to add further value by marketing organic products that earn a premium.
Leverage Public Health Messaging
Kennedy could also use his position at HHS to leverage public health messaging in ways that guide consumer behavior toward more sustainable agricultural choices. Through the CDC and other HHS agencies, Kennedy could spearhead campaigns that raise awareness about the health impacts of dietary choices and farming practices. Such initiatives could educate the public on the benefits of consuming locally -sourced, sustainably produced foods, while also addressing health risks associated with conventional agricultural practices.
By emphasizing the intersection of public health and agriculture, Kennedy could create a paradigm shift that encourages consumers to make food choices that support sustainable agricultural systems. This could also help shape demand in ways that benefit the farmers embracing those systems.
Prioritize Research on the Impact of Industrial Agriculture on Human Health
HHS, through NIH and CDC, is a leading agency for public health research, including studies on the impact of diet and environmental exposures on health. Kennedy could leverage HHS’s vast research capabilities to prioritize studies that examine the effects of industrial agriculture on chronic diseases, environmental health, and public well-being. By funding and promoting research that assesses the links between agricultural policy, food production methods, and health outcomes, Kennedy could lay the groundwork for future policy shifts.
Influence USDA Policies and Programs
Kennedy could also influence USDA policies and programs through interagency collaborations and joint task forces with the USDA Secretary, particularly in areas where public health intersects with agriculture. Through these partnerships, he could advocate for a shift in USDA priorities towards healthier food production and practices that align with public health goals.
Influence Trump Administration Priorities
As a member of the President’s Cabinet, Kennedy would have an important opportunity to shape the Trump administration’s agriculture and food policy. He has already been influential: When Trump announced Kennedy’s nomination, he appeared to embrace Kennedy’s platform, tweeting that “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex” and urging Kennedy to “go wild” on food and health policy.
OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING
As Secretary of HHS, Kennedy would have the potential to influence meaningful reform of our food and agriculture system by linking public health to agricultural practices. Through his oversight of the DGA, public health campaigns, and research on the health impacts of industrial agriculture, he could help steer policy discussions toward healthier food systems that incorporate more organic and regenerative agricultural practices that also benefit America’s farmers. We’re encouraged that thanks to Kennedy, these kinds of discussions are taking place at the national level for the first time.
Kennedy Confirmation Hearings
Kennedy will appear before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, January 29 at 10:00 AM ET, and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Thursday, January 30 at 10:00 AM ET. The Finance Committee will ultimately vote on whether to advance Kennedy’s nomination to the Senate floor.
