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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has eliminated two key programs that provided schools and food banks with funding to purchase food from local farms and ranchers, slashing over $1 billion in federal spending.
The cuts include:
- $660 million for the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Program, which helped schools and childcare facilities buy fresh, locally sourced food.
- A second round of funding for the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program, which supports food banks and feeding organizations.
The Trump administration’s decision to halt these initiatives has sparked backlash from school nutrition advocates, state officials, and local farmers who relied on the funding to supply fresh produce, dairy, and meats to schools and food banks.
USDA Justifies Cuts, Schools Left Scrambling
The USDA informed state officials on Friday that funding for LFS in 2025 has been canceled, impacting over 40 states that had previously signed agreements to participate. Existing LFPA agreements will continue, but the agency will not issue new funding for fiscal year 2025.
A USDA spokesperson defended the cuts, stating that the programs, which were expanded under the Biden administration, “no longer effectuate the goals of the agency.”
“These programs, created under the former Administration via Executive authority, no longer effectuate the goals of the agency,” the spokesperson said. “LFPA and LFPA Plus agreements that were in place prior to LFPA 25, which still have substantial financial resources remaining, will continue to be in effect for the remainder of the period of performance.”
The Biden administration expanded the programs in an effort to build a more resilient food supply chain, reducing reliance on major food corporations by supporting small and mid-sized farms. Last year, USDA dedicated over $1 billion through the Commodity Credit Corporation to support local food initiatives.
Impact on Schools, Food Banks, and Farmers
The cuts come at a time when food banks are experiencing increased demand, and school nutrition officials are already struggling to afford healthy meals with current federal reimbursement rates. Rising food costs have led more families to turn to food assistance programs, making the funding loss even more significant.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) condemned the decision, noting that her state alone would lose $12 million in planned funding for school districts.
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have declared that feeding children and supporting local farmers are no longer ‘priorities,’ and it’s just the latest terrible cut with real impact on families across Massachusetts,” Healey said in a statement.
For small farmers, the loss of these programs means fewer guaranteed buyers for their produce, meats, and dairy, potentially forcing them to shift to less sustainable business models.
What’s Next?
With no clear replacement for the lost funding, school districts and food banks will need to find alternative solutions to fill the gap. State governments may attempt to create their own local food initiatives, though without federal backing, those efforts may be limited.
As food security concerns grow, and local farmers face uncertainty, the debate over the role of federal food programs is far from over.
