AS ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES SEES RECORD HIGH GROCERY COSTS, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES LANDMARK LEGISLATION TO BREAK UP THE MEATPACKING MONOPOLIES, HELP FARMERS, AND DRIVE DOWN COST OF[...]

Schumer Says Four Corporate Giants Dominate Meat Market, Squeezing Farmers And Ranchers Who Keep Just 16 Cents Of Every Dollar Spent On Food And Rigging The System Against Finger Lakes Families

New Schumer Bill Will Break Up Big Monopolies In Meat Packing That Lead To Higher Prices For Consumers & Hurt Farmers And Restore Real Competition To Help Farmers And Smaller Meat Producers While Lowering Prices

Schumer: New Bill Will Bring Down Costs For Families At The Grocery Store

As families in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region experience some of the fastest price growth for groceries in the country, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today stood with Finger Lakes families at the Tops supermarket in Walworth to introduce the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act. The Senator's new landmark legislation would break up the big meat monopolies, boost farmers Upstate, and lower grocery costs for families.

"The meatpacking monopoly is driving up costs for New Yorkers in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region at the grocery store and rigging the game against local farmers. Corporate giants dominate the meat market and set prices sky-high for families, all while squeezing profits from farmers by eliminating competition, and it needs to end," said Senator Schumer. "That's why I'm introducing legislation - the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act - to break up the monopoly and lower costs. This bill is centered around making groceries more affordable, making farmers more profitable, and putting the needs of working middle-class people ahead of the interests of powerful corporations. America's economy and our Main Streets are stronger when costs are lower, and we have true competition, and this bill will do exactly that."

According to analysis from the Urban Institute, New York's 24^th Congressional District - which covers all of Wayne, Oswego, Seneca, Yates, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming, and Genesee Counties, and parts of Niagara, Ontario, Jefferson, Steuben, Schuyler, and Cayuga Counties - has experienced some of the fastest price growth for groceries in the country in the past ten years. Grocery prices have increased from $710 to $1080 each month, a whopping more than 50% increase. New York's 25^th Congressional District - which covers all of Monroe County and part of Ontario County - has seen an increase from $770 to $1,160 each month, also a more than 50% increase.

Schumer explained that a major driver of high meat prices is a food system rigged in favor of corporate monopolies. Four companies, Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef, control 85% of the beef market, 67% of the pork market, and 60% of the chicken market.

Schumer's Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act is a competition-driven, pro-farmer, pro-rancher, pro-worker, pro-consumer, cost-of-living bill that breaks up dominant meatpackers and uses all available tools to stop unfair pricing that drives up grocery bills for American families. The bill would force the biggest meatpackers to choose a line of business instead of dominating beef, pork, and chicken all at once, and aims to provide financial and technical assistance to farmers' cooperatives and small businesses that seek to acquire, operate, or expand meatpacking plants or facilities, helping make more local supply chains to lower costs. In addition, to directing the FTC to go after foreign-controlled conglomerates that squeeze American producers and distort U.S. markets.

Frank DeRiso, International Executive Vice President, President, United Food & Commercial Workers UFCW Local One said, "For far too long, a handful of corporations have controlled the meatpacking industry-driving down wages for workers, squeezing farmers, and driving up prices for consumers. This bill is about restoring fairness and competition in our food system. By breaking up excessive market power and holding big corporations accountable, we can protect working families, support American farmers, and ensure people can afford to put food on the table. UFCW Local One stands firmly behind efforts that put workers, producers, and consumers first."

Wayne County resident Stephen Cady, "Despite the fact that Wayne County is primarily an agricultural area, it is becoming ever more difficult for families to keep food on the table. 30% of people - 40% of children - in Wayne County rely on SNAP, grocery stores are closing, food and fuel prices are climbing, and the Republican Administration's policies are exacerbating every facet of the issue."

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