Dave Dickey A legally accepted definition of ultra-processed foods in the US is years away California’s new state definition — the Real Food, Healthy Kids Act — sets the stage for a messy, protracted process at the federal level. By Dave Dickey, Columnist / 19 Nov 2025
Data Harvest Rural Illinois’ food economy depends on immigrants While every farm-dependent county in the state has lost population in the past decade, counties tied to meatpacking and food processing are holding on thanks to foreign-born workers — a trend that could be upended by Trump’s deportation plans. By Jennifer Bamberg, Investigate Midwest / 17 Sep 2025
Dave Dickey California’s Prop. 12 facing tough new challenges A new two-pronged attack could pause regulations on pork. By Dave Dickey, Columnist / 28 Jul 2025
Government With California’s Prop 12 now law, pork producers adapt while lobbying groups continue to fight The economic impact of California confinement standards is hard to measure just one month into new law. By John McCracken, Investigate Midwest and Ben Felder, Investigate Midwest / 6 Mar 2024
TP::Opinion Massachusetts’ Question 3 is Big Meat’s stand-in to kill California’s Prop 12 With Question 3, Big Meat is saying it's not over until they say it's over, Dave writes. By Dave Dickey, Columnist / 20 Feb 2024
TP::Opinion Opinion: California Prop 12 alive and kickin' but expect future litigation The Supreme Court upheld the state's law requiring more living space for hogs destined to be pork. By Dave Dickey, Columnist / 17 May 2023
