Melissa Motejunas, Director of Sales and Marketing

The food industry is facing a new wave of tariffs, and they’re hitting everything from produce to packaging. For school nutrition programs and institutional buyers, this means higher costs, tighter budgets, and even more pressure to stretch every dollar. But while these tariffs are making it harder (and more expensive) to import food, they may also be creating an unexpected opportunity: a shift toward more local procurement.

At Harvesting Good, we’ve long championed the idea that schools and institutions should source as much food as possible from local farms. This not only supports regional economies and sustainability efforts but also ensures fresher, higher-quality food for students and communities. Now, with imported food becoming more expensive, local products may become the most cost-effective—and reliable—option.

The True Cost of Imported Food and Leadership Transitions

Imported food often appears cheaper at first glance, but hidden costs—like supply chain disruptions, freight surcharges, and now, new tariffs—can add up quickly. The latest round of tariffs will increase prices on various food products, including frozen vegetables. For schools and institutions with tight budgets, that means tough choices.

Meanwhile, shifts in leadership at the federal and state levels bring new priorities, challenges, and opportunities for food procurement policies. Over the past few years, we’ve seen real progress in policies that support local procurement, farm-to-school initiatives, and regional food supply chains. But leadership changes can bring uncertainty—especially for schools, hospitals, and institutions that depend on funding to source local food. However, early indicators suggest that federal support for local and regional food systems remains a priority. Expanded grants, farm-to-school funding, and institutional procurement incentives could help keep locally grown food on the menu.

Why Local Procurement Makes More Sense Than Ever

Instead of absorbing higher costs from overseas products and navigating unpredictable leadership changes, schools and institutions can lean into local sourcing as a practical and mission-driven solution. Here’s why:

• Price Stability: Buying local reduces exposure to global price fluctuations, making it easier to budget long-term.

• Fresher, Higher Quality Food: Less time in transit means higher nutritional value and better-tasting meals for students.

• Supply Chain Resilience: Local procurement reduces dependence on unpredictable global shipping and freight costs.

• Stronger Communities: Every dollar spent on local food strengthens regional economies, supports small farmers, and creates jobs.

• Additional Reimbursements: Federal and state programs offer extra funding for local procurement, lowering costs even further.

Navigating Change Together

Leadership transitions bring shifting policies, but support for farm-to-school programs and local procurement remains strong. Institutions, farmers, and advocates must work together to keep local food a priority.

At Harvesting Good, we’re committed to making high-quality, locally sourced frozen vegetables accessible year-round. If tariffs are making your food purchasing decisions more difficult, now is the time to explore the benefits of buying local.

Want to learn more? Contact us today! Let’s build a stronger, more resilient food system—together.