Cancelled contracts have now taken $1 billion from American farmers.

In the latest instance of cutting first and asking questions later, two cooperative agreements that provide public schools and food banks in 40 states with food grown by local farmers have been cancelled.

Under these agreements, the USDA reimburses school districts, food pantries, and other programs that feed hungry people when they buy food grown by local farmers.

The idea had been expanded under President Biden to give organizations a different option than simply relying on the major food corporations while offering hungry kids and families a wider variety of healthy, fresh, local products and opening up new markets and new customers to farmers.

It's exactly the kind of win-win, common sense practice that we ought to support with the bounty we have across the country.

But now, farmers are losing a big source of their business and schools are being forced to change suppliers, pay more for less, and are more worried than ever about how to feed kids on limited budgets.

It's a disaster by design – another round of nonpayment, voided contracts, and scrambling to make up the difference – or go bust.

It's not a sensible way to run a country, a business, or a roadside fruit stand.

American farmers grow enough food to feed every hungry kid in this country and then some – and they deserve good partners who keep their word. Trump and Musk should back off and let farmers do what they do best: grow food, feed hungry people, and sell their goods.

Heidi

Heidi Heitkamp, Former U.S. Senator for North Dakota
Founder, One Country Project