United States: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially ended two major federal programs that provided over $1 billion annually to help schools and food banks purchase fresh produce from local farms and ranches.
School Meal Program Shut Down for 2025
The Local Food for Schools (LFS) program, which allocated $660 million per year to support school meal programs, has been terminated for the 2025 fiscal year, according to a statement from the School Nutrition Association, as reported by Reuters.
Food Bank Assistance Program Ends
The USDA also halted funding for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which provided $500 million this year to help food banks stock fresh, locally sourced products. The department notified states and tribal organizations by email, granting a 60-day period to close agreements.
USDA Cites Shift in Policy Priorities
The USDA spokesperson declared that these programs from the former administration do not match existing agency direction. President Donald Trump’s administration made the reduction part of its continuing mission to both cut spending and prevent federal expansion.
Impact on Farmers & the Food Industry
These recent cuts coincide with current trade disputes which Trump’s government initiated through trade tariff deployments across important U.S. agricultural commerce partners. Current staffing reductions and postponed investments by food industries have created financial risks for farmers as well as schools and food banks who received benefits from these programs.