'The Mindless Steamroller'

Editor:

For the past couple of years, I have had the honor and privilege to be a part of the Veggie Crew, a group of volunteers at Food For People who bag up vegetables for distribution. Even during winter months we get brilliant broccoli, colorful carrots, colossal cauliflower, as well as lesser seen but greatly appreciated parsnips, kale, turnips and chard, all from local farms! Throw in some potatoes and onions, some apples and citrus from out of the area, and you have a fresh and nutritious package. These go out to homebound seniors in Eureka, Arcata and McKinleyville, as well as to our mobile produce pantries which reach isolated areas such as Weitchpec, Hoopa, Orick and Petrolia.

Enter the mindless steamroller that is the Trump administration (“Trickle Down, March 20). Funding for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement has been terminated, money that has been used to purchase 9,500 pounds of local food a month. Not only does this impact local farmers, some who have already planted crops they planned to sell to the program, but also the fine work of Megan Kenney, who directs the North Coast Growers’ Association Harvest Hub. The Harvest Hub serves as a distribution network and clearinghouse, saving transportation costs for local farmers. Local markets could use it as a virtual menu of what was available at any given time, saving them money as well.

This arrangement between farmers, distributors and consumers was well-balanced and rolling along nicely, until an unelected government bureaucrat decided to jam a stick in the spokes. I did not vote for Trump and am appalled by what his underlings are doing. If you do support him, please explain to me how what he is doing is making our country great again.

Tim Harkins, Eureka