The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has canceled two programs supporting local food banks and schools, eliminating over $1 billion in funding. The decision is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to scale back federal programs.
The Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program were terminated as they “no longer effectuate the goals of the agency,” the USDA stated. The first program was set to allocate $660 million in 2025 for schools and child care facilities, while the second program would have provided $500 million for food banks this year.
Critics argue the cuts will impact millions of children and food-insecure communities. The School Nutrition Association (SNA) warned that proposed eligibility changes in House Republicans’ budget plan could strip free meal access from 12 million students.
Democratic leaders, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), condemned the decision, citing harm to farmers, schools, and food-insecure families.
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