A coalition of leading agricultural organizations is urging Congress to prioritize funding for local and regional food procurement in any upcoming farmer economic relief package. The effort is being led by groups including the National Farmers Union, American Farmland Trust, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
In a joint letter, the coalition highlighted the mounting pressures facing family farmers and ranchers, including volatile markets, rising costs, trade disruptions, and extreme weather. They argued that relief efforts should be paired with long-term investments that strengthen domestic markets and create reliable demand for U.S.-grown products. The local and regional supply chains are a cornerstone of rural economic resilience and essential to national food security.
“Family farmers are squeezed by low prices, rising costs, and deep uncertainty,” said Rob Larew, president of the NFU. “Investing in local and regional food procurement isn’t just good policy, but it’s how we keep family farms viable.”
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