The U.S. Agriculture Department has announced the termination of two programs that were established during the pandemic, which provided over $1 billion to schools and food banks for purchasing food from local farmers. These programs included approximately $660 million directed towards schools and childcare facilities through the Local Foods for Schools initiative, while another program supported food banks.
In Maine, for instance, the coastal RSU 23 school district utilized these funds to buy directly from local fishermen, dairy farmers, and producers. Caroline Trinder, the district’s food and nutrition services director, highlighted the importance of providing healthy meals for students, noting that these efforts not only benefit the children’s nutrition but also support local farmers, many of whom are parents within the community.
However, the decision to end these programs is expected to adversely impact school districts that already struggle with tight meal budgets. Shannon Gleave, president of the School Nutrition Association, commented on the situation, expressing concern that the loss of funding would affect both students’ access to nutritious meals and local farmers’ livelihoods. Gleave described this decision as a significant setback, especially considering the rising costs of food and labor.
The USDA indicated that these programs served a purpose during the pandemic but no longer align with the agency’s current priorities. A USDA spokesperson stated that with the pandemic behind us, the agency’s approach to nutrition programs would change accordingly.
In Massachusetts, school districts and childcare programs had received around $12 million in federal funding to purchase food locally, and state officials have expressed disappointment over the recent federal decisions. Patrick Tutwiler, the state’s education secretary, remarked on the disconnect between federal priorities and the needs of students and communities, suggesting that this could lead to further funding cuts.
As budget discussions continue, school nutrition directors are preparing for potential reductions to programs that have been crucial for providing meals to students who rely on them as a primary food source. Proposed cuts aimed at funding Republican tax initiatives might raise the eligibility thresholds for schools to offer free meals, likely leaving many deserving families without the support they need. The School Nutrition Association has raised concerns that such restrictions could exclude families from accessing vital food assistance programs.
