Donnie Smith, president and chief executive officer of Tyson Foods, was ranked in 12th place on the DailyMeal.com 2012 list of the country’s 50 most powerful people in food. He moved up from 17th place last year.

The list, which includes CEOs, government officials, chefs, and activities, among others, are all individuals considered to have an impact on what and how American consumers eat.  Brooke Johnson, president of the Food Network, is ranked number one, and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is ranked in the number two spot.  Others on the list include Mike Duke, president and CEO, Walmart; Jim Skinner, vice chairman and CEO, McDonald’s; and David Dillon, chairman and CEO, The Kroger Company.  Michelle Obama, Wolfgang Puck, and Martha Stewart also made the list.

To see the complete list, click here.