USDA cuts over $1 billion from local food programs for schools and food banks
Alona Yadav | Mar 12, 2025, 00:09 IST
( Image credit : Agencies )
The USDA has cut over $1 billion in funding for programs aiding schools and food banks in purchasing local foods. These cuts impact the Local Food for Schools and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Programs, which supported local farmers and provided food to underserved communities. Existing agreements will continue, but new funding is halted.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has eliminated more than $1 billion in funding for programs that help schools and food banks purchase from local farmers, according to reports from the School Nutrition Association and Politico. These cuts come as part of the Trump administration's broader initiative to reduce federal spending.
States received notification that the USDA had cut funding for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program for 2025, the School Nutrition Association announced in a news release. Additionally, the agency eliminated funds for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which supports food supplies for local food banks and organizations in underserved communities.
According to Politico, citing an unnamed USDA spokesperson, existing LFPA agreements will continue, but there will not be another round of funding this year. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources confirmed it was notified on March 7 that the 2025 funding would be terminated within 60 days.
The Local Food for Schools program provided federal funding to states, tribes, and territories to purchase healthy, unprocessed foods from farmers and suppliers within their communities to serve at schools and childcare centers. The program created new income sources for local farmers and food producers while strengthening local food systems.
"This program will strengthen the food system for schools and childcare institutions by helping to build a fair, competitive, and resilient local food chain, and expand local and regional markets with an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved producers and processors," states the USDA website.
Similarly, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program enabled states to use federal dollars to purchase food from local farms and suppliers for food banks. The agreements allowed states, tribal, and territorial governments to purchase food within their own communities - either in the state itself or within 400 miles of the food's destination.
Both programs were introduced to address impacts to the food supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2024, food purchased through these programs had been distributed at 7,900 food banks, food pantries, and communities across the United States.
The funding cuts amount to over $1 billion, with $660 million specifically designated for schools to make local food purchases, according to the School Nutrition Association. In December 2024, the USDA had announced a $1.13 billion investment for these programs, with $471.5 million allocated for states and territories to purchase local foods for schools participating in free or reduced-cost meal programs, and $188.6 million for child care centers.
According to the Massachusetts agriculture department, the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service determined the funding "no longer effectuates federal agency priorities, and that termination of the funds is appropriate."
These cuts represent the latest in a series of spending reductions and job eliminations from the federal government, initiatives championed by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk.
States received notification that the USDA had cut funding for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program for 2025, the School Nutrition Association announced in a news release. Additionally, the agency eliminated funds for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which supports food supplies for local food banks and organizations in underserved communities.
According to Politico, citing an unnamed USDA spokesperson, existing LFPA agreements will continue, but there will not be another round of funding this year. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources confirmed it was notified on March 7 that the 2025 funding would be terminated within 60 days.
Understanding the Affected Programs
The Local Food for Schools program provided federal funding to states, tribes, and territories to purchase healthy, unprocessed foods from farmers and suppliers within their communities to serve at schools and childcare centers. The program created new income sources for local farmers and food producers while strengthening local food systems.
"This program will strengthen the food system for schools and childcare institutions by helping to build a fair, competitive, and resilient local food chain, and expand local and regional markets with an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved producers and processors," states the USDA website.
Similarly, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program enabled states to use federal dollars to purchase food from local farms and suppliers for food banks. The agreements allowed states, tribal, and territorial governments to purchase food within their own communities - either in the state itself or within 400 miles of the food's destination.
Both programs were introduced to address impacts to the food supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2024, food purchased through these programs had been distributed at 7,900 food banks, food pantries, and communities across the United States.
Financial Impact
The funding cuts amount to over $1 billion, with $660 million specifically designated for schools to make local food purchases, according to the School Nutrition Association. In December 2024, the USDA had announced a $1.13 billion investment for these programs, with $471.5 million allocated for states and territories to purchase local foods for schools participating in free or reduced-cost meal programs, and $188.6 million for child care centers.
According to the Massachusetts agriculture department, the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service determined the funding "no longer effectuates federal agency priorities, and that termination of the funds is appropriate."
These cuts represent the latest in a series of spending reductions and job eliminations from the federal government, initiatives championed by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk.