Chapter 1: The Supermarkets' Secret Empire
* Introduces the Big Four supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrison's) and their dominance in the UK food industry, controlling over 75% of the market.
* Example: Tesco's massive distribution network ensures that its products are available in over 3,000 stores across the country.
Chapter 2: The Price of Power
* Examines the practices employed by the supermarkets to maintain their market share, including price manipulation, squeezing suppliers, and limiting consumer choice.
* Example: Asda's "Smart Price" range of discounted goods forces other retailers to lower their prices, putting pressure on food producers to cut costs.
Chapter 3: The Myth of Choice
* Argues that the supermarkets' vast selection of products is an illusion, as many of these products are simply different brands of the same generic item.
* Example: The majority of own-brand milk sold by supermarkets comes from a handful of large dairies, despite the appearance of numerous different labels.
Chapter 4: Food Factories
* Explores the industrialization of food production to meet the demands of the supermarkets, leading to a focus on quantity over quality.
* Example: Factories like Bernard Matthews' turkey farms raise thousands of birds in cramped and unsanitary conditions, resulting in high levels of disease and antimicrobial drug use.
Chapter 5: The Great Farm Grab
* Discusses the impact of the supermarkets' purchasing power on farmers, who often struggle to make a living due to low prices and unfair contracts.
* Example: Sainsbury's "Buy British" campaign has shifted the balance of power in favor of the supermarket, leaving farmers vulnerable to exploitation.
Chapter 6: The Health Cost
* Examines the nutritional consequences of the supermarkets' focus on processed and unhealthy foods, contributing to obesity and other diet-related diseases.
* Example: Asda's "Extra Special" range of premium products includes a wide variety of sugary and fatty foods, targeting consumers who are willing to pay more for unhealthy choices.
Chapter 7: The Hidden Truth
* Explores the lack of transparency and accountability in the supermarkets' supply chains, making it difficult to trace the origin and quality of food products.
* Example: The horse meat scandal of 2013 revealed that horse meat had been fraudulently sold as beef in products supplied to major supermarkets.
Chapter 8: The Need for Change
* Calls for a fundamental shift in the food system, reducing the dominance of Big Veg and supporting sustainable and ethical farming practices.
* Example: The Soil Association's "Organic Standards" provide a framework for producers to demonstrate that their products are farmed in an environmentally friendly and humane manner.
Chapter 9: What You Can Do
* Empowers consumers to make informed choices and support alternative food systems, such as farmers' markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and buying directly from producers.
* Example: Joining a CSA allows consumers to connect with local farmers and receive a regular supply of fresh, seasonal produce.
