Zippy Duvall highlights role of farmers in healthier food future
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has voiced strong support for the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s new “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy.” AFBF President Zippy Duvall emphasized that farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, nutritious, and affordable food for families across the United States.
Duvall noted that healthier meals begin with strong farms and recognized the commission’s appreciation of the vital role agriculture plays in the nation’s food supply chain. He highlighted that an increased focus on American-grown fruits, vegetables, and meat, along with reintroducing whole milk into school meal programs, can provide children with a foundation for lifelong healthy choices.
The recommendations also include reducing and streamlining regulations, which Duvall said would give farms operating on tight margins the flexibility to innovate and diversify to meet consumer demands. He welcomed calls to prioritize voluntary conservation efforts and improve the Environmental Protection Agency’s pesticide approval process to accelerate innovation while maintaining safety.
Duvall stressed the importance of the commission’s outreach to farmers nationwide and their willingness to listen to concerns directly from the agriculture community. He pledged that Farm Bureau members will remain engaged with the commission and policymakers to ensure decisions are fully informed and balanced for the entire food system.
“Our food system has evolved and innovated over time to provide healthy and nutritious food to meet the diverse needs and preferences of American families; and we look forward to further innovations to improve health outcomes in America while ensuring farmers and ranchers can stock America’s pantries,” said Duvall.
The Farm Bureau’s support reflects agriculture’s central role in advancing healthier diets while maintaining a secure and sustainable food supply chain.