"Corn is an efficient way to get energy calories off the land and soybeans are an efficient way of getting protein off the land, so we've designed a food system that produces a lot of cheap corn and soybeans resulting in a lot of cheap fast food"

In this quote, Michael Pollan highlights the commercial effectiveness underlying contemporary agricultural and food systems, especially in the United States. He draws attention to the strategic growing of corn and soybeans, two crops that dominate the American farming landscape due to their ability to provide important nutritional elements-- calories from corn and protein from soybeans-- successfully and efficiently.

Pollan presumes that the agricultural system is designed mostly for maximizing output and minimizing expenses, rather than concentrating on dietary quality or eco-friendly sustainability. Corn is highlighted as a calorically thick crop that can easily be converted into a range of food and additives, consisting of high fructose corn syrup and animal feed. It's a fundamental component in the fast food industry, making processed foods less expensive and more accessible.

Soybeans similarly function as a cornerstone for protein production, being a major ingredient in animals feed and processed foods. This focus on corn and soybeans shows a monoculture method, where these specific crops are focused on at the expenditure of biodiversity and crop rotation practices that might benefit environmental health.

The outcome, as Pollan recommends, is a food system that produces economical, calorie-rich, and protein-rich items, aligning perfectly with the economic interests of producers. Nevertheless, it accidentally promotes the usage of junk food, defined by high calorie however often nutritionally poor offerings. This industrial method has wider implications, adding to health concerns such as obesity, diabetes, and heart problem, while likewise impacting environmental systems through extensive farming practices, pesticide usage, and soil deterioration.

Therefore, Pollan's review is not merely about the efficiency in production but rather the unintentional repercussions on health and the environment, prompting a reevaluation of what constitutes 'effectiveness' in our food system. He requires a balanced technique that integrates farming efficiency with health and environmental sustainability.