Farm Action: federal food purchasing should support local farmers

By Emma Nicolas, Farm Action

In a blog post for Farm Action, Emma Nicolas makes the argument that federal food purchasing, one of the least visible but most powerful tools in the U.S. food system, could be used to support independent farmers rather than reinforcing corporate dominance. The U.S. government spends billions each year buying food for schools, military bases, food banks, and other public programs, but Nicolas writes that most of those contracts currently flow to the largest agribusiness companies.

The article features Indiana farmer Greg Gunthorp, a fourth-generation producer who says independent farmers are increasingly squeezed out of markets dominated by large corporations. Gunthorp shifted his farm toward pasture-raised pork, poultry, and lamb sold directly to restaurants and customers, but he says consolidation across the meat industry, where just a few companies control most of the market, continues to threaten smaller producers. Government procurement contracts, he argues, could provide a stable market for independent farms while strengthening local food systems.

Nicolas writes that upcoming negotiations over the 2026 Farm Bill present an opportunity to change those rules. Proposals such as the Strengthening Local Food Security Act and the EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act aim to direct more federal food purchasing toward local and regional producers, potentially boosting rural economies and strengthening supply chain resilience.

Call to action
Farm Action encourages readers to contact their legislators and support Farm Bill reforms that prioritize independent farmers and local food systems in federal procurement programs.

Read more: https://farmaction.us/rethinking-the-farm-bill-government-food-buying-should-put-local-farms-first/