As a food bank that serves thousands of individuals and families across the state, we have long relied on the generosity of local specialty crop farmers who provide fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables. These donations are the backbone of our mission to address hunger and food insecurity in Michigan. Unfortunately, we are deeply concerned about the potential loss of these critical food sources due to the growing challenges that fruit and vegetable farmers are facing.
Specialty crop farmers, who produce everything from apples and cherries to peppers and carrots, are struggling to keep their businesses afloat due to outdated policies and rising operational costs. Many of these farmers provide essential donations to food banks like ours, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our community have access to fresh produce. If these farmers are pushed out of business, it will have devastating consequences for our ability to meet the nutritional needs of those we serve.
The labor shortage and unsustainable wage mandates through the federal H-2A program have made it nearly impossible for farmers to continue producing fruits and vegetables. As labor costs skyrocket, specialty crop farmers are being forced to consider switching to less labor-intensive crops or, worse, leaving farming altogether. This trend would significantly exacerbate food insecurity, as the availability of fresh, healthy produce in our community will drastically decline.
We are already seeing the impact. Some of our regular farm donors have expressed concerns about their future viability, and if they stop growing, our access to nutritious food will diminish. This is not just a concern for us; it’s a crisis for every family that relies on food banks to supplement their diets.
We urge our elected officials in Washington to take immediate action. If we do not address the labor challenges facing Michigan’s specialty crop farmers, we will lose a crucial source of local produce and see an increase in reliance on food imports. The time to protect our local farmers, and by extension, the health and well-being of those who depend on them, is now.
We cannot afford to lose our local produce. For the sake of our communities, let's act before it's too late.
Sincerely,
William Birndorf
President, Higher Hopes!
Commerce, Michigan
Comments