The abrupt conclusion of two USDA initiatives has left many agricultural producers searching for alternative methods to market their goods. These programs, which facilitated direct connections between farmers and consumers, have been vital for a variety of producers. For instance, Mike Miles, a farmer from Luck, Wisconsin, who specializes in pasture-raised beef and chicken, found these programs instrumental in directing his products to food banks and shelves. He expresses that the program not only provided a fair price but also reduced the time he needed to spend on marketing through other means.

Producers are now facing challenges as they adapt to this change. Ryan Sullivan from Sullivan Family Farms near Manitowoc, Wisconsin, another beneficiary of these programs, emphasizes how the contracts secured through them significantly boosted his business. Although the termination necessitates additional marketing efforts, Sullivan acknowledges the valuable relationships formed during the program's operation. These connections open new doors for expanding his farm's reach into previously untapped markets.

Farmers like Miles and Sullivan, alongside organizations such as Wisconsin Farmers Union, Marbleseed, The Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative, Feeding Wisconsin, and Hunger Task Force, advocate for the reinstatement of these crucial programs. Such initiatives not only support local agriculture but also strengthen community ties by ensuring access to fresh, locally produced food. Their efforts highlight the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and the need for policies that empower small-scale producers.