As the Trump administration cracks down on immigration, the food system is beginning to feel the lack of workers, but it could just be the beginning, experts said at an Investigate Midwest panel Thursday.
While every farm-dependent county in the state has lost population in the past decade, counties tied to meatpacking and food processing are holding on thanks to foreign-born workers — a trend that could be upended by Trump’s deportation plans.
A new study projects that recent and proposed immigration policies could raise food, beverage, and tobacco prices by 14.5% between 2024 and 2028 — adding to current inflation.
The USDA has withheld 18,000 records tied to its investigation into Tyson Foods, citing active enforcement. Some worry the inquiry could be dropped under a second Trump presidency.
