Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins discusses Thanksgiving costs, beef prices on the ground and how the Trump administration is helping America’s farmers ‘Maria morning.’
The US Department of Agriculture says it is working to change what it calls the “Out of Control” SNAP program.
The agency plans to redirect more of its food budget toward healthy, American-grown food options, including specialty crops, fruits and proteins. Agriculture Secretary Brokellins Brokellins said the effort is part of the “make America healthy again” movement by the Secretary of Health and President Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“There’s more to come next year as we start to change the way we buy food, and really support America’s farmers,” Wollins said Wednesday on “Morning with Maria.”
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Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, center, signs of one of the more widespread food shortages in Idaho, Utah, and Arkansas during the Emerica He Head event in Washington, DC, on June 10. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Rollins noted part of the change will include using the USDA’s food purchasing power to source more American-grown fruits and specialty crops for school lunches and food banks.
He explained that the USDA spends about “$400 million a day on 16 types of food.” The organization is looking to improve how that money is used to help reduce chronic disease.
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The SNAP benefits program was recently reinstated during the recent government shutdown, when funding for the food assistance program came close to running out. The USDA has since pledged to eliminate fraud within the program and require participants to reapply for benefits.
Rollins also confirmed that the agency is finalizing a new “bridge package” of financial support for farmers. He said he has been speaking with Secretary of State Scott Bessent and they expect more announcements in the coming days.
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“It’s just a bridge to find us next year with the President’s promise that he wasn’t there [going to] Leave any of our farmers behind,” Rollins said.
He added that farmers are facing a lot of financial pressure and that the USDA plans to move quickly.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Oct. 31. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images / Getty Images)
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“For farmers who are getting their planting and harvest next year, they need that certainty now that their banks are calling,” said Rollins.
“It’s been a really, really hard year for our farmers.”
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