August 1st, 2025
by Joey Panner, Summer 2025 Intern
The Hidden Costs of Food and Clothing Drives
About 71% of Americans donated food or clothing in the past year. This is almost as much as those who donated any amount of money to charity (77%) and more than double the number who have volunteered their time (30%). While the intention behind these efforts is generous, the reality is often far more complicated. Over the past few decades, well-meaning donations have sometimes caused lasting damage to Haiti’s economy, undermining the very communities they aim to support.
At Roots of Development, we are committed to a different model. Development without dependency is our guiding philosophy. Our goal is not simply to meet urgent needs in the short term, but to support Haitians as they build systems of resilience and self-sufficiency that will last for generations. To understand why we avoid food and clothing drives, it is essential to look at how these efforts have harmed Haiti in the past.
The Hidden Costs of Food Aid
In the 1990s, the U.S. government under President Bill Clinton sent vast quantities of subsidized rice to Haiti. As part of trade policies encouraged by the United States, Haiti was pressured to drop its tariffs on imported rice from 35 percent to just 3 percent. Almost overnight, cheap surplus American rice flooded Haitian markets and made the culturally central crop quickly become worthless. In 2010, Clinton publicly admitted that this policy “wiped out Haitian rice farming,” acknowledging that the influx of subsided grain severely damaged Haiti’s ability to feed itself.
The consequences were devastating. Haitian rice production collapsed, and countless small farmers were pushed into poverty or forced to migrate. Instead of strengthening food security, the well-intentioned donations left Haiti more dependent on imports and more vulnerable to price fluctuations in global markets. In many ways, this story is an example of how external aid, without thoughtful planning can erode local economies.
Food donations also present challenges beyond their economic impact. Many of the items distributed in food drives are canned or highly processed, lacking the nutritional value of fresh, locally grown produce. These foods often do not align with local eating habits, ingredients, or cooking methods, making them unfamiliar or difficult to prepare. This can lead to the food being wasted, reluctantly consumed, or replacing traditional diets and practices, and while doing little to support local agricultural systems or long-term food sovereignty. Investments in Haitian farming cooperatives, local food distribution networks, and sustainable agriculture training can achieve much more lasting and transformative outcomes than shipments of surplus goods.
The Impact of Secondhand Clothing Imports
Clothing drives can have similar unintended consequences. In many donor countries, it is approximated that only 10 to 30 percent of donated clothing is resold or reused locally. The rest is bundled into massive bales and shipped to countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and South Asia to be sold to wholesale buyers at an incredibly low price. The unusable pieces become excess waste, clogging waterways and littering areas lacking proper waste systems. While second-hand clothing exports can briefly provide low-cost garments to consumers, the flood of cheap used clothing can devastate local industries. In Ghana, for example, the influx of donated apparel contributed to a 75 percent drop between 1975 and 2000 in employment in the domestic textile sector.
Haiti has experienced comparable effects. Vibrant informal economies such as tailoring, sewing, and small-scale textile production have struggled to survive amid an influx of imported second-hand clothes. These microbusinesses, often operated by Haitian women artisans and entrepreneurs, once sustained entire families and communities. When donated clothing undercuts their prices, it undermines both livelihoods and dignity, replacing locally made products with unsustainable dependency on foreign surplus.
A Better Way Forward
At Roots of Development, we believe there is a better way. Instead of temporary fixes that risk harming local economies, we invest in Haitian-led initiatives that build resilience and self-determination. Our work focuses on supporting communities as they identify their own needs and design solutions that make sense for their context. Whether it is supporting local farming cooperatives, helping to launch small businesses, or funding community-led education and training programs, these investments honor the knowledge, creativity, and agency of the Haitian people.
If you are wondering what you can do instead of organizing a food or clothing drive, there are stronger alternatives that lead to more positive results. Consider supporting reputable Haitian nonprofits and grassroots organizations that are accountable to the communities they serve (like Roots of Development). Donations to fund tools, seeds, and infrastructure help farmers grow food sustainably. Purchasing Haitian-made goods and crafts provides income directly to local businesses and artisans. Even simply educating others about the unintended consequences of certain types of aid can contribute to a more informed and respectful model of international solidarity.
Haiti has faced profound challenges, and compassion from people around the world has been a source of strength. But compassion alone is not enough. The delivery of aid matters as much as the intention behind it. When donations are designed without community input or an understanding of local economies, they can do more harm than good.
Roots of Development is proud to work alongside communities to build systems that are resilient, equitable, and locally owned. Together, we can turn compassion into action that uplifts rather than undermines, supporting Haitians not just to survive but to thrive.