Tariffs at the Table: How Food Importers and Restaurants Are Feeling the Heat

When we think about tariffs, we don’t always think about where they show up—in this case, on our plates. But across the country, restaurants, food trucks, and small food importers are raising alarm bells about the downstream effects of high tariffs on the food industry.

From Italian restaurants sourcing specialty ingredients to family-run distributors trying to keep shelves stocked, these businesses are being squeezed by costs they simply can’t absorb. One New Jersey-based food importer put it plainly:

“We are unable to absorb the costs associated with the new tariffs, and must pass [them] along to our customers. This will in turn make it more expensive to eat food away from home, a staple of American culture. This will have ripple effects for waiters/waitresses, consumers, and others in the supply chain.”

When food costs rise, it doesn’t just affect the bottom line—it reshapes the dining experience and hurts everyone from kitchen staff to local diners.

Join the many small businesses who’ve signed our letter and help protect the restaurants, food importers, and workers who feed America. Sign our letter here.