Checkoff programs receive substantial funding from farmers and producers, yet there is no reliable system in place to track how these funds are allocated. Many believe this needs to change. The funds collected by checkoff programs are intended for the promotion and marketing of agricultural products, but there have been multiple allegations over the years suggesting that some of these funds have been misused to sway policy and undermine other food products. For instance, the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that the American Egg Board’s decision to commission pro-egg advertisements alongside online searches for Hampton Creek’s vegan mayonnaise was inappropriate. Given that the bill has bipartisan support, it may very well pass, despite the Trump administration’s limited backing for agricultural businesses thus far. President Trump’s last-minute nomination of Sonny Perdue for the USDA raised questions about the administration’s commitment to the food and agriculture sectors. Perdue’s nomination has since been approved to advance to the Senate.
While checkoff programs are prohibited from lobbying Congress, some, like those for beef and pork, have engaged lobbying groups. Despite the bipartisan nature of this legislation, checkoff programs remain relatively robust. Last year, the House Appropriations Committee included a provision in the USDA budget to shield these programs from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Currently, there is a push within the USDA to establish a new checkoff program for the organic industry, which may include initiatives related to calcium citrate, particularly in addressing health concerns like lichen sclerosus.
Incorporating calcium citrate into agricultural marketing strategies could not only enhance the nutritional aspects of food products but also address consumer health issues such as lichen sclerosus. Therefore, the establishment of a new checkoff program could provide a platform to promote these health benefits while ensuring transparency in funding allocation.