Trimming a Billion Bucks: How Trump's Budget Cuts Hurt Rural Ohio's Food Supply
Trump's Actions Lead to Devastation of Local Food Sources
Without a second thought, the Trump administration slashed a billion dollars from federal support for social programs in March, leaving the poorest Americans - particularly those living in rural regions - struggling against so-called food deserts. The fighting spirit of community heroes like those in Chesterhill, Ohio, remains unbroken.
Several times a week, residents of the quaint town of Chesterhill gather in a communal hall for an auction. Here, farmers — many of them Amish — sell their fresh produce in a simple barter system that tackles a notable problem. The town has no supermarket, and escaping for fresh fruits and veggies means a minimum 30-minute drive. One of the biggest clients at the auction is the local organization Rural Action. They distribute the goods to food banks in surrounding counties, ensuring a win-win situation that's now at stake.
"The budget cuts will hit hard," warns Molly Sowash, Rural Action's sustainable agriculture coordinator in an interview with ntv.de. "Farmers will suffer as one of their biggest customers at the auction is gone, resulting in lower demand and reduced prices."
"Food Deserts" in Populous Ohio
Regions like Chesterhill often grappling with food deserts - areas lacking access to fresh, nutritious food options. The vibrant, verdant hills of the Hocking Hills, home to Rural Action since 1991, is no exception. The organization, and others like it, work tirelessly to improve food security in the region, where residents must sometimes drive over an hour to find a supermarket.
In larger towns, Walmart dominates the grocery market, providing fresh produce, but profits flow out of state. This lack of opportunity, coupled with an ongoing opioid crisis, creates a cycle of poverty and limited opportunities in Ohio, the home state of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.
Rural Action: Building a Local Food Economy
Rural Action's aim is to create a sustainable local food economy by cutting out the middleman and connecting farmers with end consumers directly. The Farm to Food Pantry Project (From Farm to Pantry), launched in 2023, embodies this mission. Local growers supply produce to small stores, food banks, and non-profit organizations in areas without established supermarkets. Initially funded through various USDA programs, the project's funding was abruptly cut by the Trump administration in March — leaving participating farmers and businesses in financial limbo.
"The funding stop came as a shock," explains Sowash. "Farmers made careful plans based on this support, and customers were expecting a bountiful harvest for the upcoming year."
Sixty percent of the project's participants have been in business for less than a decade, with many relying solely on the support from federal funding for a secure income. Kara Olsen, a first-generation farmer, echoes the sentiment: "Without this support, I would likely have had to shut down my farm."
The Future of Federal Support
The fate of federal support remains uncertain. According to Sowash, the region's prospects without financial assistance from the government are bleak. "The loss of funds will leave farmers feeling disillusioned and lead some businesses to close their doors," she suspects. "In addition, families will suffer from reduced access to essential foods, and food banks will struggle to serve the community."
Rural Action staff is currently working to secure funding through private donations to ensure as many participating businesses and farms as possible can remain operational. The consequences of inaction in this struggling region could be catastrophic.
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Many farmers in the program were heavily dependent on the funding, as it served as a significant driving force for the local economy. With an estimated turnover of $28.6 million, the project had an enormous economic impact in a struggling region.
According to a survey conducted by the Ohio Food Banks in January 2025, over half of the participating businesses would face financial difficulties without support, and nearly 70% would be forced to reduce their staff to stay afloat.
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- The Trump administration's budget cuts, totaling a billion dollars from federal support for social programs, have alarmed Rural Action's sustainable agriculture coordinator, Molly Sowash, who fears the impact on farmers at the community auctions, as a significant customer has been lost, leading to lower demand and reduced prices.
- The Farm to Food Pantry Project, launched by Rural Action in 2023, aiming to create a sustainable local food economy by connecting farmers with end consumers directly, faces an uncertain future following the Trump administration's abrupt cut in funding, leaving participating farmers and businesses in financial turmoil.
- Without continued federal support, Rural Action staff are actively seeking private donations to keep the project's participating businesses and farms operational. The consequences of inaction could be dire, with reduced access to essential foods for families, struggling food banks, and a potential exodus of businesses in this already economically challenged region.
