Tariffs are negatively affecting our food supply
To the editor:
Who will step in to fill the roles of the migrant workers, who harvest our crops and help distribute our food? Farmers are grappling with soaring expenses and decline in customers — many of whom have vanished due to tariffs. These tariffs have not only affected exports but also sparked trade conflicts and disrupted global markets. Consequently, many farmers have found themselves relying on government aid and subsidies to keep their operations afloat.
In recent years, grain prices have been on a decline, with soybeans — a cornerstone of midwest farming — losing 34% of the value on the global market. Farm income is also waning following a peak before the pandemic. It is crucial to stand by our farmers, support local businesses and prioritize our health and wellbeing.
Recent budget cuts have significantly undermined scientific research, staffing and sustainability efforts, posing a direct threat to our nation’s food security. As a healthcare professional, I am acutely aware of repercussions: Consumers face the risk of unsafe food, farmers contend with troubling pests that harm their livelihood, climate change looms large.
The current landscape is troubling, and I find myself worried about how to safeguard my family simply being a consumer in Lee County.
Kathleen Callard, RNBS
North Fort Myers