During National Farmers Market Week, Empire State Voices Calls Out Congressman Lawler’s Role in Raising Grocery Costs
New York farmers and families alike are struggling to keep up with rising food and fuel costs, significantly impacting NY-17’s Agriculture Industry
HUDSON VALLEY, NY — This National Farmers Market Week, Empire State Voices is calling out Rep. Mike Lawler for repeatedly backing policies that are driving up costs across the board, from higher grocery bills to rising gas prices, and making it harder for New York’s farmers to operate. As families and farmers alike struggle to keep up with the cost of doing business, Lawler's support for these policies has made an already difficult year even harder for the people who put food on our tables.
In celebration of the week, Empire State Voices visited local farmers' markets to talk with all the farmers, agricultural workers, food pantry volunteers, and shoppers about the issues affecting them most. One thing was clear: food costs too much, and Hudson Valley farmers and families will keep paying the price as long as Republicans in Congress refuse to act.
Farmers here are being squeezed from every direction:
The war in Iran is driving up the already sky-high costs of fertilizer and diesel, and Rep. Mike Lawler just voted to spend $73 billion more to continue funding the overseas war.
Tariffs are raising equipment costs, increasing the price of fertilizer, and cutting off the biggest buyers of American crops, and Rep. Mike Law has supported the tariffs that are driving up costs and interfering with the market.
He has also repeatedly voted for the Republican Tax Law, which cut funding for healthcare and is making it harder for self-employed farmers to get care. Additional funding cuts from the Republican Tax Law forced over 22,000 New Yorkers off their food stamp benefits in June 2026 alone.
“We are seeing more and more people coming in that need some extra support in putting food on the table, because when a critical sector of the economy, like farmers, is struggling, our entire community feels it. Food costs more, grocery shelves don’t get stocked, and there are fewer jobs to go around,” said Doris from the Food Pantry at the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center. “Mike Lawler promised to lower costs. Instead, he gave tax breaks to billionaires and left behind all the people who are working to feed this country. We need him to do better.”
“This week, we're celebrating the thousands of farms and farmers who feed our families, anchor our local economy, and employ our neighbors,” said Zachary Tirgan, Empire State Voices Multi-Regional Organizing Director. “Mike Lawler is making it harder for New Yorkers to stay in business, let alone put food on their own tables. We’re calling on him to vote against tariffs, reverse his cuts to SNAP, and stop supporting the war. We’re proud to be the ones talking with our Hudson Valley families about why this is so important. Come find us at future markets to learn more.”To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org
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About Empire State Voices
Empire State Voices is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. We are fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same. To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org
