In a nation where over 10% of households are uncertain about their next meal—nearly 15 million homes—the ongoing pandemic has exacerbated an already dire situation. With the closure of schools, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues due to COVID-19, the demand for food has plummeted. This has led to a troubling surplus of produce that farmers are left with no choice but to discard. It’s a disheartening reality.
Lisa Davis, a leader with the No Kid Hungry campaign, highlights that 1 in 7 children live in families that struggle to secure enough food. Approximately 22 million kids rely on subsidized or free school lunches, and with schools closed, their access to vital meals has diminished. Although some districts are providing curbside meal pickup for children under 18, logistical challenges make it difficult for many families to take advantage of these offerings.
The ripple effects of this crisis extend to farmers. With a diminished market for their goods, many find themselves compelled to destroy fresh produce instead of harvesting it. For instance, dairy farmers are discarding millions of gallons of milk, mixing it with fertilizer rather than selling it—a financial blow that compounds their challenges. While some farmers are attempting to pivot to cheese and yogurt production, the transition isn’t instantaneous.
One noteworthy example is Sunset Valley Dairy in Acme, Pennsylvania, where the owners managed to adapt their operations to bottle milk rather than waste it. They produce 30 gallons at a time and have received overwhelming support from their community, selling out of milk daily while also donating to those in need. Unfortunately, not every farm possesses the resources to implement such solutions.
Vegetable and fruit farmers are also feeling the strain. Many choose to plow under their crops instead of harvesting them, as the cost of labor for crops destined to go unsold is often prohibitive. Having grown up around agriculture and worked on a vegetable farm, I understand the immense pride and effort that farmers put into their work. The food they cultivate is not merely a commodity; it represents nourishment, community, and the hard work that sustains families.
Moreover, the meatpacking industry is grappling with its own set of challenges. In an effort to maintain operations, the government invoked the Defense Production Act to keep these plants running, despite outbreaks among workers. With the supply chain disrupted, animals are at risk of being euthanized due to a surplus of meat that can’t be processed.
The broken supply chain is a pressing issue. The USDA plans to allocate $19 billion in relief to buy surplus produce, meat, and dairy from farmers, aiming to redistribute these goods to food banks. However, this process is still unfolding, and states are relying on local organizations to support those in need. For example, organizations like MEANS are working tirelessly to connect surplus food with food banks and shelters across the country, while student-led initiatives like FarmLink are mobilizing volunteers to transport excess food directly to those who need it.
Despite these efforts, giving away food is not a sustainable financial model. Farmers are finding that even as they sell at reduced prices, grocery store prices remain high. Paul Thompson, a farmer with 300 pigs, has been vocal about the struggles small producers face in competing with large corporations. While major meatpacking facilities have faced closures due to COVID-19 outbreaks, local processing plants have remained operational and safe.
This situation presents a complex dilemma: many Americans are struggling to afford food, while farmers are forced to dispose of their surpluses. This economic paradox underscores the deeper issues at play and highlights the urgent need for solutions. With advancements in technology, one would hope that we could effectively address these fundamental needs. Although the logistics are intricate and no single entity is to blame, it’s clear that this crisis is a significant consequence of the pandemic.
For more insights into issues surrounding food security and home insemination, check out our other blog post here.
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Summary:
The ongoing pandemic has led to a paradoxical crisis in America, where millions face food insecurity while farmers are compelled to destroy surplus crops. The closure of schools and restaurants has drastically reduced demand for food, prompting many farmers to discard perishable goods. Community efforts and relief programs are in place, but challenges remain in ensuring that food reaches those in need while also supporting farmers facing financial strain.
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