America’s Food Crisis: Declining Production and Rising Reliance on Imports
For decades, the United States has been a global leader in agriculture. Yet, troubling trends are emerging that put the nation’s food security and independence at risk. As highlighted in a recent interview with Zack Wyatt, Founder, President, and CEO of Carolina Farm Trust, America is growing less of its own food and becoming increasingly reliant on imports. Here, we unpack the challenges, contributing factors, and what Carolina Farm Trust is doing to rebuild resilience in the food system.
Alarming Trends in U.S. Food Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports a significant decline in fruit and vegetable production over the past two decades. Fruit production has dropped by a staggering 36%, and vegetable production has decreased by over 6%. These declines are not just numbers on a chart; they represent a growing vulnerability in our
