The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) eliminated two federal programmes that provided over $1 billion annually to support schools and food banks in purchasing food from local farms and ranches, Reuters reported.
The cuts confirmed by the School Nutrition Association are part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reduce federal spending and shrink the size of government.
The $660 million initiative, which was set to fund school meal programmes in 2025, aimed to connect schools with local farmers and ranchers to provide fresh, locally sourced food to students.
Meanwhile, the local food purchase assistance cooperative agreement programme, which allocated approximately $500 million annually, supported food banks in purchasing food from local producers.
The elimination of these programmes is expected to have significant consequences for schools and food banks that rely on federal funding to provide nutritious meals. The School Nutrition Association, which represents cafeteria workers and directors nationwide, expressed concern about the impact on students and local food systems.
However, the move aligns with President Trump’s broader agenda of shrinking the federal government and reallocating resources.
Farmers and agricultural support groups have criticised the USDA’s decision, arguing that the cuts will further destabilise local food systems and reduce access to fresh, healthy food for vulnerable populations. The loss of funding for local food purchases is particularly concerning for small and mid-sized farms, which often rely on these programmes to sustain their operations.
