America First Policy Institute Releases New Brief Urging Reform of Federal Nutrition Programs

Washington D.C. — Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) released a new policy brief as part of its Farmers First Agenda and Healthy America initiative, titled Driving Responsible Nutrition Policy. The paper lays out a strategy to restore real nutrition to federal nutrition programs and empowers farmers and local communities to drive healthier outcomes.

Specifically, the document outlines a first tranche of Farmers First Agenda policies focused on responsible nutrition, along with proposed solutions. Priorities include:

• Federal programs should allow states to incentivize healthier eating.
•  Federal government must ensure our domestic food supply is transparent, safe, and upholds nutritional integrity.
• Federal nutrition programs must be reserved for the truly needy and must aim to restore the dignity of work.
• Government and the private sector must collaborate to reduce food loss and waste.
• Driving responsible nutrition policy also means supporting the domestic specialty crop sector, including fruit and vegetable farmers.

As programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have doubled in size over the past four years, AFPI proposes reforms rooted in self-sufficiency, accountability, and health. The brief also recommends reducing food loss and waste, and expanding access to domestically produced nutrient-dense foods.

“This brief charts a strong course to ensure we are modernizing nutrition policies and uplifting producers at the same time,” said Sarah Frey, Senior Advisor for Rural Policy. “The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s core mission is to help needy families access healthy food that builds strong bodies and minds, and that is our focus.”

This is more than a policy paper—it is a pathway forward for the Farmers First Agenda. AFPI will work to ensure its recommendations inform Congressional debates and agency decision-making, guide state-level efforts, and empower public and private partners to rethink how nutrition assistance is delivered. In the coming months, AFPI will collaborate with federal and state lawmakers, agriculture leaders, and communities to advance these solutions nationwide.

The full brief can be accessed [here].