McInnis: True Affordability Means Fighting for Alabama Families, Farmers, and Food Security

Republican candidate for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Christina Woerner McInnis is making food affordability a central part of her campaign, arguing that Alabama families are under growing pressure from rising grocery costs and weaknesses in the nation’s food supply chain.

McInnis believes food costs are affecting both low-income households and working families who may not qualify for government aid but still struggle to make ends meet.

“True affordability is not a political slogan. It is whether a mother can put a rotisserie chicken, vegetables, milk, and bread on the table without having to choose between groceries, gas, medicine, or the power bill,” McInnis said. “For the roughly 15% of Alabamians who rely on SNAP, and for working families who do not qualify for assistance but are still barely getting by, food prices are not abstract. They are felt every single week at the checkout line.”

Federal and State data show food insecurity remains a major issue in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that 17% of adults and 23% of children in the State face food insecurity.

The State also continues to serve hundreds of thousands of residents through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP. USDA and Alabama Department of Human Resources data show participation has remained high in recent years.

McInnis said the problem extends beyond inflation. She pointed to global instability, high fuel and fertilizer costs, shrinking cattle supplies, and consolidation within the meat processing industry.

“President Trump and Secretary Brooke Rollins are right to look closely at the Big Four meatpackers,” McInnis said. “When four companies control roughly 85% of the beef processing market, that affects farmers, ranchers, grocers, and families. Alabama families deserve to know whether competition is working, and Alabama producers deserve a fair shot.”

Federal officials have confirmed an ongoing antitrust investigation into the U.S. cattle and beef markets. The inquiry includes scrutiny of the nation’s largest meat processors, including JBS, Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has also warned that heavy market concentration leaves producers with fewer options and creates more risk across the food system.

McInnis said Alabama’s Agriculture Commissioner should push for stronger local food systems, more regional processing capacity, and better access to Alabama-grown products.

“When Alabama farmers have more ways to sell, Alabama families have more ways to save,” McInnis said. “We need to strengthen local agriculture, support small and regional processors, expand Alabama-grown products in schools and food programs, and fight for a food system that serves families — not just the biggest corporate middlemen.”

She also highlighted rising costs facing farmers, including fuel, labor, transportation, insurance, fertilizer, and equipment expenses.

“Farmers are paying more to grow the food, families are paying more to buy the food, but too often the people in the middle are the ones making the system harder to understand,” McInnis said. “That is why transparency, competition, and local food security matter.”

McInnis outlined a five-part affordability agenda focused on expanding Alabama-grown food access, strengthening local supply chains, supporting farmers and ranchers, improving processing and distribution networks, and treating agriculture as critical infrastructure.

“Affordability begins with food security,” McInnis said. “A State that cannot feed itself is not truly secure. As Commissioner, I will fight for Alabama farmers, Alabama families, and a food system that works from the farm gate to the dinner table.”

McInnis is a fifth-generation farmer, business owner, and mother running in the May 19 Republican primary for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.

For more information, visit https://mcinnisforalabama.com or follow her on social media.