We are also influenced by our accessibility to cheap food. This makes it very difficult to pass any kind of health regulations, or to enforce those that are already passed. Many Americans remain unaware that USDA inspections are voluntary, & there are no repercussions for a factory that does not adhere to them. Any time a referendum or bill is suggested, powerful food conglomerates (such as Con-Agra) lobby to defeat it. This makes it difficult to improve the quality of our inexpensive food, particularly meat. Hence the outrageous prices for organic/grass-fed beef, or the recent uproar from the egg industries after the passing of Prop 2 in California. the sad thing is that most Americans have no idea of the influence such food companies have over policy and regulations. A very good book to check out is The Politics of Food, which explores many of these issues.
Also, food has influenced our cultural identity. What's more American than apple pie, right? Certain foods are associated with our national heritage, & it's deemed "right" to barbecue or eat hot dogs on the 4th of July. Foods like beef (think hamburgers and ribs) are identified as masculine, and thus vegetarians are often seen as "wussy" or feminine. And we quickly become offended when someone challenges our right to eat anything, even deep-fried twinkies. Even the result of food influences that identity: we are known throughout the world for our outrageous levels of obesity.
In all these ways, in addition to the important points made by the first poster, we as a country are influenced by our food.
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