Virginia Farmers and Food Banks Face Challenges as USDA Funding Cuts Impact Vital Support

Hunger is rising in Virginia, and local farmers are feeling the pinch from recent federal funding cuts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently scrapped two major programs that previously allocated over $1 billion nationwide for schools and food banks to buy food from local farmers.

One of these canceled programs, the Local Foods for Schools Cooperative Agreement, was set to provide about $600 million this year to schools and childcare centers. The other, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, supported food banks and programs focused on underserved communities. While the USDA will still provide funding to current projects, further financing set for 2025 is no longer available.

Virginia’s farmers stand to lose significantly. According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, about $7.6 million earmarked for the Local Food Purchase Assistance program in 2025 is now off the table. This loss comes as the state has already received over $13.6 million from both local food programs.

The Southside Virginia Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association has been actively supplying food banks throughout the state, with about $150,000 worth of produce sold through the local program. Brick Goldman, the association’s president, stressed the importance of this funding: “It’s helped keep our farms alive and growing.” However, he noted that the group has had to scale back on planting this spring as they search for new markets.

Food banks, too, are bracing for impact. The Federation of Virginia Food Banks currently receives about $250,000 monthly from the Local Food Purchase Assistance program. But with an increase in food costs and a surge in demand, this support is crucial. Data shows that the number of people seeking help from food banks increased by an average of 20% from 2023 to 2024. Moreover, the food banks collectively spent nearly five times more on food than they did in 2019. Last year, 964,000 Virginians, or about 1 in 9, faced hunger—an alarming 37% increase compared to the previous year.

Eddie Oliver, executive director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, expressed frustration over the cuts. He emphasized, “We’re going to need a lot of support from the community.” Recent statistics reflect a critical need for assistance; food banks play a vital role in battling food insecurity in Virginia.

Efforts like the Farms to Food Banks initiative, which connects local farmers with food banks, have proven successful, sourcing nearly 2 million pounds of food last year from local agricultural partners. Oliver remarked on the success of these programs but acknowledged, “We just didn’t expect the rug to be pulled out from under us this quickly.”

These funding cuts highlight a growing concern for both farmers and those relying on food assistance. As local agriculture faces uncertainty, the hope is that further community support and state resources can help address the challenges ahead.

For more information on food assistance programs in Virginia, you can check out the Federation of Virginia Food Banks for resources and updates.

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