From eating poorly to eating badly: Food system change, local perceptions, and chronic kidney disease in Agua Caliente, Jalisco

Abstract

Under neoliberal capitalism, food security has been drastically affected by the shift to an agro-industrial production model and the consumption of cheap, unhealthy food that harms both human health and ecosystems. In this article, I document and analyze the dietary change this transition has brought about in a marginalized rural community facing severe environmental degradation in Jalisco, Mexico. While residents of Agua Caliente maintain the belief that they have always "eaten poorly" due to heavy reliance on subsistence farming and racial and class prejudices, a significant portion of the population now also believes they "eat badly," as most of their food is contaminated by pesticides or otherwise harmful to their health. The environmental and health costs imposed by neoliberal capitalism—through the Green Revolution and the rise of industrial food—are externalized onto individuals and the most vulnerable communities. This article is based on an ethnographic study involving participant observation, in-depth interviews, and case studies. This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of food security by incorporating socio-environmental, cultural, and health dimensions grounded in local experiences.