The U.S. Department of Agriculture says fruit and vegetable production and the number of farms in the U.S. have been declining for decades while increasingly relying on other countries to fill the gap.
“We have nearly a billion acres of farmland and a population of only 330 million people, but we can’t feed ourselves and we’re increasingly reliant on imports for our staple foods,” said Angela Hoffman, president and co-founder of Farm Action.
According to the USDA, fruit production in 2024 will be nearly 36% lower than in 2003, while vegetable production will be down 6.3%. The proportion of imports continues to grow share Supply of fresh produce: By 2021, 60% of fruits and 38% of vegetables in the United States will be supplied by other countries, with Mexico being the largest supplier.
The United States prioritizes growing commodities such as corn, soybeans, wheat, and sugar. Corn and soybeans are valuable because they are used primarily for livestock feed and ethanol. The country also dominates meat production, with global consumption continuing to grow.
While commodities are necessary to the U.S. economy, they do not feed the people. This is a big sticking point for many small and medium-sized farmers growing fruits and vegetables.
With costs such as labor, fuel and fertilizers rising, survival has become difficult for these farmers. For example, the USDA reports that farm labor costs are expected to increase 6.9% in 2024, leaving many fruit and vegetable farmers unable to use mechanical They can use merchandise.
“We need a little help. I mean, who’s going to grow our food? Do you really want to buy all your food from overseas?” said Chip Kent, co-owner and sixth-generation farmer at Locust Grove Fruit Farm in Milton, New York.
Under the Farm Bill, which is passed about every five years, commodity farmers receive disproportionate subsidies, which are government payments that act as a safety net; they protect farmers from fluctuations in prices, incomes and crop yields. this largest and the richest farm Growing the “big five” crops (corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and rice) generates most of the revenue, receiving more than 78% of federal funding over the past 22 years, according to the Environmental Working Group.
“I think the criticism of the disproportionate share that large commercial-scale companies get versus those small and mid-sized farmers who are struggling on the margins is somewhat appropriate,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. of.
The 2018 Farm Bill extended through 2024 but expired in September. The new bill may not be decided until 2025, and the new government may make significant changes in subsidy allocation and payment.
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