USDA Abruptly Cuts Programs Supporting Local Food Purchases for Schools and Food Banks: What It Means for Communities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has decided to cancel two important programs that help schools, food banks, and tribal governments buy fresh local food. These are the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program.

These programs were set up to encourage schools to include local produce in their meals. The LFS program provided funding for schools and child care facilities, while the LFPA supported state and tribal governments in purchasing locally produced food. Together, they were expected to allocate over $1 billion this fiscal year, which included substantial amounts for states like Illinois and Missouri.

A USDA spokesperson shared that these programs are being terminated because they no longer align with the department’s goals. The phase-out will take effect 60 days after the official notice to state and tribal governments.

Experts are sounding alarms over the impact of this decision. Alexis Bylander, who leads child nutrition programs for the Food Research and Action Center, emphasized that many children rely on school meals for their nutrition. She expressed concern, stating that in times of rising prices, cutting these programs can devastate families and food service departments.

Chris Schwartz, head of the Iowa Food System Coalition, called the cancellation baffling, especially given the program’s success in Iowa. Many farmers had already invested in their crops based on these expected funds. He warned that losing this support could lead to significant financial distress for farms, mentioning that these decisions can put families at risk of foreclosure.

Chris Bernard, the CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma, emphasized that local food-purchasing funds are critical. They help provide healthier options to communities, which can be harder to source and more expensive. The loss of between $12 and $25 million, depending on specific cuts, could have dire consequences for local food systems.

These changes come at a time when local food programs are essential, especially as they were designed to respond to challenges highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bylander pointed out that with uncertain economic times looming, families may face increasing difficulties in accessing reliable nutrition.

Overall, the cancellation of these programs appears to threaten not only local food purchases but also the very well-being of children and families that lean on school meals for nutritional support. The decision raises important questions about the future of federal nutrition assistance and its impact on communities across the U.S.

For more details on the USDA’s agricultural programs, you can read their official announcements here.

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