photo credit: AFBF photo, Mike Tomko
National Farmers Union, American Farmland Trust, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition today led an agricultural coalition letter urging Congress to include funding for local and regional procurement of domestically produced agricultural products in any upcoming farmer economic relief package.
As family farmers and ranchers continue to face severe economic pressure driven by market volatility, rising costs, trade disruptions, and extreme weather, the groups emphasized that additional assistance will be necessary.
The letter argues that Congress should pair near-term relief with investments that build stronger domestic markets and create reliable demand for American-grown products.
“Local and regional supply chains are not only a cornerstone of rural economic resilience—they are essential to national food security,” the letter states.
The coalition pointed to bipartisan, bicameral legislation already introduced in Congress, including the Strengthening Local Food Security Act (S.2338) and the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act (H.R. 4782), as models for implementation.
The groups also highlighted USDA’s previous Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs as proof that the approach works. Those programs helped states, Tribes, and territories purchase approximately $850 million in locally grown food from over 15,000 farmers and ranchers, strengthening regional supply chains and expanding market opportunities for
small and mid-sized producers. Together, these programs stimulated nearly $1.6 billion in economic activity.
Read the full letter here.
“Family farmers are squeezed by low prices, rising costs, and deep uncertainty. Investing in local and regional food procurement isn’t just good policy — it’s how we keep family farms viable and rural communities strong,” said Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union.
“Congress has an opportunity to deliver both immediate relief and long-term resilience by including funding for local and regional food procurement in their upcoming farmer assistance package,” said John Piotti, President and CEO of American Farmland Trust. “These investments create reliable demand for farmers and ranchers, provide nutritious food to communities across the country, keep more dollars circulating in rural communities, and help ensure that American agriculture can thrive well into the future.”
“NASDA members are advocating for Congress to include robust funding for procurement of regionally produced food in any upcoming farmer economic relief package,” NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said. “Strategic investments in these programs directly support small and medium-sized American farmers and ranchers, strengthen local and regional supply chains and expand access to a variety of nutritious foods in communities across the country. Prioritizing procurement of local products can help deliver meaningful economic relief to U.S. farmers while advancing food security, improving nutrition outcomes and building a more resilient food system for the future.”
“Reliable markets are foundational to farmers’ success – now is the moment to ensure that any agricultural economic relief package invests in stable domestic markets that will support farmers both today and well into the future,” said Mike Lavender, Policy Director for NSAC. “Congress can spur federal investments in locally-led procurement that will open market opportunities for small and mid-sized farmers – supporting their financial resilience, and solidifying their connectivity to their local communities.”
National Farmers Union news release
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