Food...We've Got a Problem!

The Nation's "One thing to do about food: a forum" proposes several solutions to the problems with the food system in the United States from a number of notable members of society. It is evident from this work that there is no clear cut solution to the issues at hand, but rather there are several possibilities that could be addressed as answers.
Michael Pollan displays his belief that the importance of the "farm bill" is not recognized, which creates many of the problems with our food system today. He notes that the importance of this bill can be used to earn votes for more important peices of legislation, yet it is not being used this way and therefore only several, small interests groups drive our food production in whatever direction they please.
Jim Hightower believes that the problem is because of businessmen and lobbyists who have a lack of understanding when it comes to our nation's food system. Hightower claims that these people are making all of the decisions, which they are unqualified to make, and the decisions should be made instead by the common citizen.
Personally, I do not have much strength in making my own arguements for a solution to the problem merely because I do not have the experience nor the knowledge to do so. I think that the arguement posed by Michael Pollan seems to make sense. That being said, I do not have a solid understanding of what the "farm bill" is and what it does. Hightower's solution however seems almost unreal. I feel as if the problems in our food system needs to help of the government. Giving the power to the consumers and local producers seems almost counterproductive because it would decentralize the food system and nothing could be done to make substantial solutions. Does a decentralized food system really make sense? If not, then how do we go about making the importance of the "farm bill" more easily recognized by Congress.