USDA withdraws US$1 billion funding for schools, food banks
USA – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is cutting two federal programs that provided about US$1 billion in funding to schools and food banks facilitating them to buy food from local farms, ranchers and producers.
The move cancels about US$660 million in funding for the Local Food for Schools program, which was active in 40 United States states, as well as about US$420 million for a second program called the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, which helps food banks and other local groups provide food to their communities.
In an email, the USDA confirmed the news, saying the agency provided a 60-day notice to States, Territories and Tribes, that the financial year 2025 funding, previously announced for the pandemic-era Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement and pandemic-era Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program, will no longer be available.
“These proposals would cause millions of children to lose access to free school meals at a time when working families are struggling with rising food costs,” commented Shannon Gleave, the president of the School Nutrition Association.
According to Diane Pratt-Heavner, director of media relations for the School Nutrition Association, which represents thousands of school meal employees, schools were recently alerted of the development.
This past December, the USDA announced US$1.13 billion in funding for both programs, meant to allow states, territories, and federally recognised tribes to purchase wholesome, locally produced foods for distribution within their communities to emergency food providers, schools, and child care centers.
Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt, the USDA explained that the programs reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering local economies, ensuring food security, and fostering resilient agricultural communities nationwide.
However, in a recent statement, following the latest development, the USDA commented, “With 16 robust nutrition programs in place, the USDA remains focused on its core mission: strengthening food security, supporting agricultural markets, and ensuring access to nutritious food. USDA is prioritising stable, proven solutions that deliver lasting impact. The COVID era is over – USDA’s approach to nutrition programs will reflect that reality moving forward.”
The news elicited many adverse reactions, with some describing the changes as “nerve-wracking” and “a big hit.”
“Farmers have already invested their time and money into creating these products that now don’t have a market, so it could be potentially devastating to small businesses,” WVU Extension Public Health Specialist and Director of SNAP-ED West Virginia Kristin McCartney said.
Nevertheless, Frank Sheppard, president and CEO of Feeding the Valley Food Bank in Albany, assures that “While a reduction in funding is always regretful, it will not stop us from distributing food products and meals at a high level throughout our coverage area.”
The advancement comes as Donald Trump’s second presidential administration has aggressively cut federal spending and imposed tariffs, forcing food organisations and farmers to cut staff and halt investments.
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