The Trump administration has launched an ambitious campaign under the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, led by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other key figures like Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. This effort aims to address the crisis of obesity and chronic diseases by transforming America’s food supply to prioritize safety, nutrition, and sustainability. But how did the nation’s food system become so unhealthy, and what are the potential impacts of these reforms on farmers and food prices?
The MAHA Mission: Cleaning Up the Food Supply
The Trump administration is “all hands on deck” to ensure the food supply is “safe and healthy,” Rollins declared in April 2025. This collaborative effort spans multiple federal agencies, with a focus on reducing harmful chemicals, reforming federal nutrition programs, and promoting healthier diets. Key initiatives include:
Improving School Lunches: Rollins and Kennedy are working to replace processed foods in school meals with nutrient-dense options. They plan to visit Texas to showcase healthier school lunch programs, emphasizing whole foods over ultra-processed products. Rollins, a mother of four, noted, “As the mom of four kids, this is very important to me, but also as the Secretary of Agriculture.”
Banning Harmful Additives: Kennedy has pushed for stricter regulations on food additives, including a ban on artificial food dyes. In April 2025, he and FDA Commissioner nominee Marty Makary announced plans to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes, citing their potential health risks. Kennedy has also advocated removing high-fructose corn syrup and certain seed oils, though some claims about their dangers lack robust scientific backing.
Reforming SNAP: Kennedy has urged states to restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds from being used to purchase high-sugar, low-nutrient foods like soda. He stated, “We have people who are obese who are at the same time malnourished, because the food that we’re eating is not nutrient-dense anymore.” This aligns with efforts in 24 states to advance MAHA legislation limiting SNAP purchases of unhealthy items.
Promoting Regenerative Agriculture: The administration is encouraging farmers to adopt regenerative practices, such as no-till farming and reduced chemical use, to improve soil health and produce healthier crops. Kennedy has emphasized working with farmers to make these transitions, stating, “MAHA simply cannot succeed without a full partnership with American farmers.”
How America’s Food Became Unhealthy
The rise in obesity and chronic diseases is tied to the transformation of the American food system over decades. In the 1960s, tobacco giants like R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris entered the food industry, applying cigarette marketing tactics to children’s beverages like Kool-Aid and Capri Sun. These companies introduced highly processed, sugar-laden products designed to be addictive, using “colors, flavors, and marketing strategies originally designed to market cigarettes,” according to a BMJ report.
By the 1980s, ultra-processed foods—high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats—dominated grocery stores. The prevalence of obesity has since skyrocketed: in 1980, only 5% of children were obese, compared to 20% today. Kennedy noted, “When my uncle was president, 3% of Americans were obese. Today, 74% of Americans are obese or overweight. No other country has anything like this.” Federal policies, including subsidies for corn and soy, fueled the production of cheap, calorie-dense ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, while nutrition programs like SNAP inadvertently subsidized junk food purchases.
Corporate influence and lax regulation further exacerbated the problem. The food industry’s consolidation allowed a few companies to dominate, prioritizing profits over health. Additives like artificial dyes and preservatives, often banned in other countries, remain common in the U.S., contributing to what Kennedy calls a “toxic soup” in the American diet.
Impacts on Farmers and Food Prices
The MAHA initiative’s reforms could have both positive and negative effects on farmers and food prices:
Positive Impacts
Support for Farmers: Rollins has pledged to reduce regulatory burdens and promote rural prosperity, potentially easing financial pressures on farmers facing 30% cost increases. Incentives for regenerative agriculture could improve soil health, reduce input costs, and open new markets for sustainable produce. Kennedy’s emphasis on “buy American” policies aims to prioritize U.S.-grown food in federal programs, boosting demand for domestic crops.
Healthier Food Markets: By increasing demand for whole, nutrient-dense foods, MAHA could encourage farmers to diversify crops, moving away from monocultures like corn and soy. This shift could stabilize farm incomes and reduce reliance on volatile commodity markets.
Economic Benefits: SNAP reforms and healthier school lunches could drive economic activity. Every $1 spent on SNAP generates up to $1.80 in economic impact, supporting farmers and local businesses. Healthier diets may also lower healthcare costs, which currently consume 90% of the $4.9 trillion spent annually on chronic diseases.
Negative Impacts
Transition Costs: Shifting to regenerative practices requires upfront investment in equipment, training, and certification, which could strain small farmers. Restrictions on pesticides like glyphosate, which Kennedy has criticized, may increase weed management costs, as agricultural trade groups argue it is “one of the safest, most effective” tools available.
Food Price Increases: Banning additives and reformulating products could raise production costs for food companies, potentially passed on to consumers. If SNAP restrictions reduce demand for processed foods, farmers growing subsidized crops like corn may face lower prices, squeezing their margins. Mass deportation policies, a Trump priority, could exacerbate labor shortages, as unauthorized immigrants comprise 40% of crop farmworkers, potentially driving up grocery prices.
Industry Pushback: The appointment of Kailee Tkacz Buller, a former seed oil industry executive, as USDA chief of staff has raised concerns among MAHA advocates about conflicting interests. Food industry groups may resist reforms, lobbying to maintain the status quo, which could slow progress and create uncertainty for farmers.
Conclusion
The MAHA initiative represents a bold attempt to address America’s public health crisis by tackling the root causes of an unhealthy food system. Rollins and Kennedy’s focus on safer, nutrient-dense foods and sustainable farming practices could pave the way for a healthier nation, but the path is fraught with challenges. While farmers may benefit from reduced regulations and new markets, they face risks from costly transitions and potential price volatility. Consumers could see healthier options but may also face higher grocery bills. The success of MAHA will depend on balancing these trade-offs while navigating industry resistance and ensuring farmers remain at the heart of the reform process. As Rollins put it, “We can’t do that without a very robust, abundant food supply.”