Zoning is a legal framework that delineates specific areas within a region, categorizing them and dictating the permissible use of property within these categories. Historically, the establishment of zoning laws dates back to the early 20th century in cities like Los Angeles and New York. Although designed to manage urban development, some early zoning efforts were tainted by discriminatory practices excluding African Americans from certain residential areas, notably those predominated by white inhabitants, under the pretext that their inclusion would lead to a decrease in property value. This practice was constitutionally validated in a landmark Supreme Court case in 1926. In the contemporary United States, the propensity to dedicate extensive tracts of land to single-family homes is an entrenched characteristic of urban planning. This approach has prevailed despite growing recognition of its contribution to pressing social issues such as housing shortages, escalated real estate costs, and persistent racial segregation. These zoning practices exacerbate economic disparities, increase the risk of homelessness, and can be detrimental to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, there is a tendency for white, wealthy property owners to strongly resist multi-family residential developments, reflecting a notable political and social divide on the matter of urban residential zoning policies. This division and its implications continue to garner attention and incite debate amid the evolving landscape of America's cities.

The culinary heritage of the American Midwest is heavily molded by the historical influences of Central, Northern, and Eastern European cooking, as well as the native food traditions of Indigenous peoples. This is clearly reflected in its everyday meals which are characterized by their simplicity and substance, focusing on the seasonal and local produce available in abundance. The Midwest is often referred to as the "breadbasket of America" due to its extensive grain production, with dominant crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans. The region also has a deep-rooted history in meat processing, being a former hub for beef in Chicago and Kansas City, and once holding the title of the foremost pork-producing city globally in Cincinnati. Today, Iowa continues this legacy as a major pork producer. In Midwestern kitchens, it is still common for bread and pies to be baked from scratch, and food preservation methods such as canning and freezing remain integral culinary practices. Early settlers in Ohio, arriving around 1788, were among the first to shape the region's food landscape. With a diet rich in maize and supplemented by local fish, game, and fruits, these settlers also adopted Native American techniques, such as making venison jerky. They cultivated crops like pumpkins, beans, potatoes, and corn, and introduced apples, wheat, and oats whilst raising hogs. Later waves of immigrants from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, and Switzerland brought with them distinctive contributions, including dairy-rich foods like cheese, butter, and milk-fed veal – thereby enriching the region's gastronomic tapestry even further.

Monsanto, a major agricultural corporation, has frequently been involved in legal disputes both as a complainant and as a respondent. The company faced numerous lawsuits concerning the health and environmental impact of its products. Moreover, Monsanto consistently utilized legal action to protect its patents, particularly related to its genetically modified seeds and other agricultural biotechnologies. In 2018, Bayer acquired Monsanto and inherited the responsibility for ongoing litigations associated with former Monsanto products, including the herbicide glyphosate, PCBs, and dicamba. by 2020, Bayer disbursed in excess of $10 billion to settle lawsuits linked to the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup. One of the pioneering practices of Monsanto was to adopt a business model similar to that of the biotechnology industry. This model involved a significant investment in research and development, with the expectation of recovering these investments through strict enforcement of biological patents. Monsanto has been active in suing for patent infringement. In 1969, the company filed a lawsuit against Rohm and Haas for violating Monsanto's patent on the herbicide propanil. However, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Monsanto, stating that the patent had been obtained through deceptive means. Since the mid-1990s, Monsanto claims to have filed legal actions against 145 individual farmers in the U.S. for violating patents or breaching contracts with genetically engineered seeds. However, only eleven of these cases went to trial, with Monsanto emerging victorious in each. Up to 2004, the Center for Food Safety recorded 90 lawsuits by Monsanto against farmers for alleged seed patent violations. The company justifies its legal actions by stating that patent enforcement is essential for being compensated for its products and recouping its significant investment in product development. Furthermore, Monsanto reasons that the contracts farmers enter into for using its seeds are straightforward in their expectation that a business must be compensated for its offerings.