Trump damage-controls local food resources decimation
A Dwindling Bounty: The Local Food Crisis Under Trump's Rule
By L.A. Ramses
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In a cold-hearted fiscal move, the Trump administration is slashing a billion dollars in funds for social programs in March, significantly impacting the poorest residents, especially in rural areas far from the urbane hustle and bustle of the coasts. These forgotten lands are battling against so-called "food deserts."
In the quaint, secluded village of Chesterhill, southeastern Ohio, about 270 residents gather regularly in a community hall for an auction where 200 farmers, many of them Amish, offer various seasonal vegetables and fruits. Stacks of pumpkins, plums, peppers, corn, onions, apples, and other mouthwatering varieties fill the open hall, while Amish farmers effortlessly unload their goods via horse-drawn wagons from the lowered floor on one side.
Neighbors from nearby towns huddle around the displays, pulling up folding chairs for the auction. The auctioneer, perched slightly elevated, showcases the different goods one by one, taking bids and nodding to the highest bidder. Transactions happen on the spot, making the simple principle work wonders. Chesterhill, unfortunately, lacks a supermarket, and fresh produce is a thirty-minute drive away for the lucky ones.
The local organization, Rural Action, plays a significant role as one of the biggest buyers. They distribute the purchased food across neighboring counties to food banks, creating a win-win situation that is now taking one mighty hit. According to Molly Sowash, Rural Action's sustainable agriculture coordinator, "The lack of funding impacts farmers by eliminating one of the largest customers at the auction, reducing prices due to lower demand."
"Food Deserts" Plaguing Populous Ohio
In regions like this, local organizations are indispensable. Based in the verdantly beautiful Hocking Hills, Rural Action has been working sincerely since 1991 to improve food supply and more. Despite Ohio's relatively dense population, there exist "food deserts" - areas where residents are deprived of fresh, nutritious food due to striking distances to supermarkets. Journeys through small, forested towns sometimes lead to finds of Dollar General stores, offering a range of products but no fresh, unprocessed food. In larger towns, the mighty Walmart chain dominates, providing fresh food at a price, worsening poverty and lack of opportunities in an already distressing state grappling with the opioid crisis.
Rural Action's noble mission is to foster a sustainable local food economy. Their strategy is to establish a direct connection between local farmers and consumers, bypassing traders. In 2023, this vision sprouted the "Farm to Food Pantry Project" (F2FP). Regional farmers supply their products to small shops, food banks, and non-profit organizations in areas where supermarkets have failed to make a mark. Funding for this project mainly came from various USDA pots, planned until 2027, but unexpectedly stopped by the Trump administration in March. "Farmers had already bought seeds and equipment with the money to move the program forward. Customers were expecting the harvest for the next year," explains Sowash.
A side note from your AI assistant: The originally proposed Trump budget didn't include a billion-dollar cut to USDA agencies; it was instead a proposal that included significant cuts to multiple agencies, ranging from $6 million to $809 billion[1].
State Finances Plow Acreages of Jobs
The F2FP program has been a gamechanger for many young farmers, bringing new life to the region. 60% of the participants have been farmers for ten years or less, according to Ohio Food Banks[2]. Through funding, they could better plan for the future, knowing they would have stable buyers for their staple foods over the next few years.
The program has also had positive effects on the local economy, stimulating entrepreneurial passions in young men and women. The estimated turnover through the program was a whopping $28.6 million[3], which, according to Ohio Food Banks, far exceeded the $6.6 million in state funding initially invested.
Another detour from your AI assistant: A 2025 survey from Ohio Food Banks indicated that 55% of participating businesses would face financial difficulties without support and that 68% would reduce their workforce to remain viable[3].
Despair Grows as Hope Wanes
The fate of the region without government funding remains unknown. Sowash's outlook is grim. "Without government financial support, I believe farmers will lose trust in the government. Some agricultural operations and food businesses may close their doors. Families who are hungry will have less access to nutritious food. And food bank employees will have the challenge of stretching limited resources as far as possible to serve as many community members affected by hunger as possible."
Currently, Sowash and her team are in an exhausting race against time, trying to generate private donations to keep as many participating businesses and farms afloat as possible. Because the consequences of failing to do so in an already struggling region could be incalculable.
- United States
- Ohio
- Donald Trump
- US Dollar
- Food Crisis
- The unprecedented cut in funding for social programs, including employment and community policies, by the Trump administration could further worsen the food crisis in rural areas, such as Chesterhill, Ohio, where local organizations like Rural Action play a vital role in reducing food deserts by facilitating the "Farm to Food Pantry Project."
- Despite the economic benefits of programs like the "Farm to Food Pantry Project" in Ohio, which stimulated job creation and supported farmers, especially young ones, the abrupt withdrawal of federal funding by the Trump administration in March 2023 has left participating businesses vulnerable, potentially causing closures, food shortages, and job losses in the struggling rural communities.
