Impact of Federal Grant Cuts: How Kentucky Farmers are Struggling to Feed Our Schools

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Recent cuts to federal funding by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are leaving local farmers and school districts in a tough spot. They rely on these funds to provide fresh, local food for school lunches.

Oldham County is among the affected districts. Since 2023, they’ve partnered with four local farms to bring fresh produce and meats to students. This includes apples from Stepping Stone Farm in Paris, beef from Brenneman & Bucks Farm in Frankfort, microgreens from Morning Fresh Growers in Louisville, and meat from Faul Family Riverside Farm in Sulphur.

“It was a huge shock for us,” said Andre Faul, manager of Faul Family Riverside Farm. He didn’t expect the funding to last forever but hoped for more notice before changes were made. Oldham County had a grant through the Local Food for Schools Program aimed at funding local farm partnerships until January 2028. While the program remains, the grant was canceled, leaving farmers scrambling to adjust.

This grant helped over 130 farmers sell directly to Kentucky schools. Ian Hester, from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of these programs. He noted that they significantly support Kentucky agriculture and deliver nutritious meals to schools. Despite the challenges, he’s hopeful that future initiatives will continue to prioritize local food systems.

With this sudden funding cut, local farmers now face the difficult task of managing costs. Many invested heavily in planting and equipment to meet the needs of schools. Faul mentioned how critical it was for students to have access to nutritious foods like pasture-raised chicken and grass-fed beef, which can greatly enhance their learning and development.

In fact, one chicken can feed about ten children. Combined with supplemental beef and pork, it could have provided around 70,000 meals for Oldham County schools. However, smaller farms struggle to compete with large suppliers like GFS and Sysco, which can offer lower prices due to their scale of operation. This means that maintaining quality often comes at a steeper price for local farmers.

Carline Loyd, the Director of Nutrition Services, highlighted the reliance on these federal funds and the need to seek alternative solutions. The district has already spent over $92,000 on local foods and is working on strategies to continue supporting local agriculture.

“The current food system is not sustainable,” Faul said. "It doesn’t benefit consumers’ health or promote a healthier society." He believes the recent cuts are a setback for initiatives that encouraged better nutrition for students.

Despite this uncertainty, the Faul family has managed to raise enough funds to fulfill their next delivery. However, they are unsure about ongoing deliveries this year.

Hester also pointed out that a new cooperative agreement called “LFPA25”—worth over $5 million—has been recalled and will not move forward. Fortunately, Kentucky still has an $11 million Local Food Purchase Agreement with the USDA, which is set to continue until August 2025.

Support for local farms remains crucial. A recent survey indicated that 83% of Americans believe local food sourcing in schools should be prioritized to promote health and nutrition. The future holds many challenges, but the resilience of local farmers and school districts may yet pave a path towards more sustainable solutions.

For more details on the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Program, you can visit USDA.gov.

Check out this related article: Join the Cause: How You Can Support Lake Worth Community High School’s Food Program Through Partnerships and Volunteerism

Source link

DOGE,federal cuts,KDA,farmers,Oldham County,school,school lunch,Faul Family Riverside Farm,Andre Faul,nutrition