Affordability Starts on the Farm
Families across the country are feeling the strain of an affordability crisis—and nowhere is it more obvious than at the grocery store.
Food prices remain high, budgets are tight, and nearly one in seven U.S. households face food insecurity.
A System With No Cushion
Agriculture is a pass-through system, leaving farmers to operate on extremely thin margins. When production costs rise or yields fall, those pressures don’t stop at the farm gate—they move quickly through the supply chain and show up at the checkout line.
Right now, farmers are facing unprecedented pressures. Bankruptcies are rising, margins are shrinking, and nearly half of U.S. farmers say they won’t turn a profit this year. As growers head into the 2026 season facing uncertainty, they have less ability than ever to absorb new shocks—meaning higher costs are passed directly to consumers.
Why Crop Protection Tools Matter
Crop protection tools play a critical role in keeping food affordable. They help farmers control weeds and pests, maintain yields, and manage per-acre costs. Without reliable access to these tools, production costs rise, supply tightens, and prices increase.
Research shows the consequences could be severe. Food inflation could more than double—adding up to $10 billion per year to Americans’ grocery bills—and some fruits and vegetables could face yield losses of 50–90% without modern crop protection tools. These aren’t abstract risks. They mean fewer choices, higher prices, and more families struggling to put healthy food on the table.
The Role of Regulatory Certainty
Unfortunately, affordability pressures are being worsened by regulatory confusion. Conflicting state labeling requirements and inconsistent application of the law are creating uncertainty for farmers and the entire food supply chain.
There’s a clear path forward: Reaffirm that EPA-registered labels are the law to restore certainty for farmers and protect affordability for families.
To better understand what’s at stake, why it matters, and how consistent, science-based labeling helps keep food affordable, read our one-pager HERE.