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This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stopped its support for Regional Food Business Centers. These centers were established to support small farms and agricultural businesses across the country. Although this news flew a bit under the radar, this sort of upheaval could have chilling effects on Black farmers and rural communities across the country. As of 2022, Black farmers accounted for less than 2% of the farmers in the United States. Historically, these farmers have lacked both the resources and institutional support that their white counterparts have had. Part of the goal of the Regional Food Business Centers was to level the playing field via grants and assistance. Since most Black farmers operate small farms, the removal of these centers undoubtedly will disproportionately affect Black farmers.
A concern that comes from these farmers not having resources is that these farms are instrumental in solving the food insecurity crisis in America. 25% of Black people experience food insecurity. One of the primary reasons for this is their living in food deserts and not having access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Small and midsize farms usually improve the access and facilitation of fresh food to these places, which would then lead to better health outcomes. In places where grocery stores with fresh produce are scarce, small farms and small businesses are key in maintaining a healthy pipeline of food.
In some places, the locals sourced food from the small businesses, which were being used to provide healthy and well-balanced lunches to students. The USDA, under the Biden Administration, was instrumental in ensuring that these programs were well funded so that students were receiving fresher and less processed food during lunch. The shutdown of these programs will likely take school lunches in some places back to being generally unhealthy. As of 2024, 1 in 5 children and adolescents are obese. A method of counteracting is to provide healthier foods earlier, which will lead to healthier outcomes physically. Also, if healthy habits are built in children, the assumption is that these habits will persist into adulthood.
It's unclear if these programs will be brought back or if there will be some alternative to the Regional Food Business Centers, but what is clear is that as the layers are peeled back, the ramifications to Black America, both in rural and urban environments, will be negative. The hope is that community organizations can step in where government has stepped away and help fill some of the glaring needs when it comes to food insecurity and food deserts.
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Conversations this week
Madame Joyce sits down with British-Nigerian singer and rapper Darkoo.
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