Fresh or Far-Fetched? Understanding Tariffs and Imported Goods
We all want the best for our families—clean meals, nourishing produce, and smart shopping. However, “fresh” at the grocery store doesn’t always mean “close to home.” In fact, the favorite foods of many families may have traveled more miles than our Fords and GMCs have before arriving into carts.
While only 15% of America’s overall food supply is imported, critical categories of fresh food are especially dependent on international sources:
32% of fresh vegetables
55% of fresh fruit
94% of seafood
While these imports allow for variety and year-round access, they also make our families vulnerable to tariffs and supply chain disruptions—costs that show up right on the receipt.
What Are Tariffs—and Why Should Families Care?
A tariff is a tax placed on imported goods. While tariffs are sometimes designed to protect U.S. farmers and industries, they can also lead to higher prices for consumers.
According to one analysis by the Consumer Federation of America conducted in 2023, tariffs on imported food products have cost American households nearly $16 billion in recent years. That means households are paying more for groceries and home goods, without even realizing why.
Even with supportive trade frameworks like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—which helps reduce tariffs on many agricultural goods—market instability and foreign policy shifts can still raise prices at home.
Since PolishedTics® was created to equip everyday families with the tools to understand policies and find success in their impacts, here are some ways how you can protect your budget while supporting policies that strengthen your region:
1. Shop Local and Regional
Buying from local farms doesn’t just taste better—it also bypasses tariffs and long-haul transport fees. Find farmers markets near you using the USDA’s National Farmers Market Directory. Also visit LocalHarvest.org to connect with family farms and co-ops near you.
2. Choose U.S-sourced Seafood
Domestic seafood isn’t just more fresh—it’s more transparent and often more sustainable. States like Alaska, Louisiana, California, Maine, and Florida are major fisheries. Even inland states like Tennessee offer freshwater options.
Explore national seafood trends and sustainability efforts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) if you’re interested in learning how to read seafood labels use the FDA’s Country of Origin Labeling info.
3. Become Policy-Aware at Home
Whether you’re preparing school lunches or budgeting for summer meals, understanding trade policy helps you lead from the kitchen. Reach out to this site if you have unique questions specific to your family.
Policy isn’t just something that happens in D.C.—it’s something that plays out in grocery aisles, kitchens, and school cafeterias every single day. It takes a collective effort of communities at all levels to influence your household, your habits, or your hometown. – not just policymakers.
When families are informed, communities grow stronger. That’s the real fresh start.
References:
Consumer Federation of America. (2023). A Nearly $16 Billion Food Tax. Retrieved from: https://consumerfed.org/a-nearly-16-billion-food-tax/
U.S. Trade Representative. (n.d.). USMCA Fact Sheets: Modernizing NAFTA to Support Today’s Agriculture. Retrieved from: https://ustr.gov/.../modernizing-nafta-support-today%E2%80%99s-agriculture
NOAA Fisheries. (2023). Fisheries of the United States. Retrieved from: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/sustainable-fisheries/fisheries-united-states
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (n.d.). Farmers Market Directory. Retrieved from: https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). (n.d.). Country of Origin Labeling. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/country-origin-labeling
LocalHarvest. (n.d.). Find Local Farms & CSAs. Retrieved from: https://www.localharvest.org/