U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer visited Auburn Monday to introduce legislation he says would lower grocery costs and create more competition in the meatpacking industry.
Schumer announced the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act during an appearance at the Tops supermarket in Auburn. The proposed legislation would require the largest meatpacking companies to limit their operations to one type of meat rather than processing beef, pork and chicken.
The bill would also provide financial and technical assistance to farmers’ cooperatives and small businesses seeking to purchase, operate or expand meatpacking facilities. Schumer said those provisions would strengthen local supply chains and give farmers more options for processing their livestock.
In addition, the legislation would direct the Federal Trade Commission to investigate foreign-controlled companies suspected of unfairly influencing prices or limiting competition in U.S. agricultural markets.
Schumer said 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. He argued that such market concentration allows large processors to charge consumers more while paying farmers less.
The proposal comes as grocery costs continue to rise across Central New York and the Finger Lakes.
According to Urban Institute data cited by Schumer’s office, average monthly grocery costs in New York’s 22nd Congressional District increased from $730 to $1,130 over the past decade. The district includes all of Madison and Onondaga counties and portions of Cayuga, Cortland and Oneida counties.
In the 24th Congressional District, average monthly costs increased from $710 to $1,080 during the same period. That district includes all of Wayne, Seneca, Yates and several other counties, along with portions of Ontario, Steuben, Schuyler and Cayuga counties.
A separate Urban Institute analysis found that one in five adults used savings to purchase food. It also found that more than one-quarter of adults who bought groceries with credit cards had difficulty making payments.
Schumer said the legislation is intended to make groceries more affordable, increase farmers’ profits and reduce the influence of large corporations within the meat industry.
