The Agriculture Department Eliminates Two Programs that Provide Funds for Schools and Food Banks

The Agriculture Department has eliminated two programs that provided funds to schools and food banks to purchase food from local farms and ranchers, suspending more than $1 billion in federal investment. According to the School Nutrition Association, the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, which was expected to cost $660 million in 2025, has been discontinued. State officials were told Friday of the USDA’s decision to discontinue the LFS program for the year. In earlier years, SNA and various state agencies said that more than 40 states had signed participation agreements. The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which helps food banks and other feeding organizations, has also been restricted. USDA notified states that it was unfreezing funds for existing LFPA agreements but did not intend to carry out a second round of funding in the fiscal year 2025.