Public Opinion Poll: Vast Majority of US Voters Prioritize Sustainable Food Production, Aligning Agricultural Policies to Support Healthy Food

Apr 27, 2023

Poll Results  |  Memo  |  Food Citizen Project 

A new national public opinion poll released by the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future as part of its Food Citizen Project finds that the majority of registered voters favor farming practices that create sustainably produced food and programs that support small- and mid-scale farms and farmers. The Center for a Livable Future is based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The poll was conducted twice –in January 2023 and March 2023—with consistent findings.  While respondents demonstrate limited working knowledge of the Farm Bill, which is due for re-authorization this Fall, they do show great interest in and support for food production systems advancing regenerative agriculture, agroecological farming practices, climate-smart agriculture, and conservation programs that incentivize farmers to produce food sustainably, with benefits for ecosystems and environments.

The online poll was fielded in January and March 2023 and drew responses from 1,000 registered US voters nationally in each instance. The poll was conducted for the Center for a Livable Future by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR), a public opinion research firm.

Findings demonstrate that registered voters want sustainably produced food, market transparency with regard to food labeling, and protections for farmers, ranchers, and meatpacking workers.

“Americans resoundingly agree that our government should be supporting and prioritizing healthy and sustainable food production practices,” says Patti Truant Anderson, senior program officer at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. “As the Farm Bill debate heats up, it’s important to remember that these are not polarizing topics; this polls show deep and broad support across party lines and demographics.”

Key findings from the poll of registered US voters include:

• More than 9 out of 10 respondents believe agricultural policies should support the production and consumption of healthier foods.
• More than 9 out of 10 respondents want the federal government to support small- and mid-sized agricultural producers.
• More than 8 out of 10 respondents are in favor of incentivizing farmers and ranchers to implement sustainable, resilient agricultural practices.
• Almost 8 out of 10 respondents prioritize producing healthy and sustainable food for Americans over feed for animals.
• Almost 9 out of 10 respondents favor additional protections for meatpacking workers.
• More than 8 out of 10 respondents favor holding corporate integrators responsible for pollution and other harm caused by CAFOs.

The release of this poll comes several months before the Farm Bill is due to be re-authorized in September.

View full results from the poll here.