How you can help farmers

Midwestern farmers are continuing to face financial stress — rising fertilizer prices, rising fuel prices and declining availability of immigrant farm workers. Policies that benefit agribusiness and foreign investors are making it difficult for small family farms to survive. Cuts to promised funds for local food programs last year produced huge losses for farmers who had already ramped up their operations.

Farmers have families they need to support. There is one thing anyone can do to help farmers, while benefiting themselves at the same time. They can shop at, and invest in if possible, a store like the community-owned Prairie Food Co-op (PFC) located in Lombard.

The grocery store was created in part to support regional farmers. Fresh, seasonal produce and other foods from Illinois and Midwestern farms are the priority. Products from local vendors are also available. PFC carries staples at prices competitive with other grocers in the area. And with a one-time payment of $200, one can become an owner and benefit even more with special deals and the ability to bulk order at a discount.

Anyone can shop at a co-op. If more folks buy at co-operative grocery stores, their purchases will give them and their families high-quality and sustainably produced food. And they’ll be supporting the families who help feed us all.

Diane Dassow

Lombard