USDA has informed state agencies and partner organizations that it is canceling $5 million in Farm-to-School programs and other local food aid. USDA shared that Fiscal Year 2025 application reviews for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program have been cancelled.

The details: This news follows the recent termination of $1 billion in federal funds for Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs.

According to Politico, “USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service “cannot provide additional information, such as application debriefs, at this time.” … It’s not clear if the cancellation is permanent or if the department plans to resume offering the grant opportunity in Fiscal Year 2026.”

👉 What’s next: SNA is investigating the implications of this funding cut as well as the continued impact of recent proposed and implemented cuts and will keep Tuesday Morning readers informed.

What’s new: USDA eliminated Local Food for Schools (LFS) and Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) funds that helped schools and food banks purchase locally, halting more than $1 billion in federal spending.

What Senators did: 

• 📜 Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) led 81 other Democrats in a letter asking Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for answers on why the programs were cut and how USDA will help farmers and organizations that relied on those initiatives, noting the decision as “reckless and cruel.”

• 📜 Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with 32 Senate Democrats, also wrote to Rollins for more clarification on the decision to stop the funds for local food purchasing programs, emphasizing the need for “providing affordable, fresh food to food banks and families while supporting American farmers.”

Coming up:

• 📆 The House requested answers from the USDA by March 21, while the Senate requested answers by April 4.

• SNA will continue to monitor USDA’s response and keep readers updated.