USDA Cuts More Than $1 Billion in Funding for Local and School Food Purchases

Funding for local food purchases and schools has been cut by more than $1 billion by the US Department of Agriculture.

According to a Politico story and a school nutrition group, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has canceled two federal programs that gave schools and food banks more than $1 billion a year to help them buy food from nearby farms and ranches.

The $660 million Local Food for Schools program for 2025 has been slashed by the USDA, according to the School Nutrition Association, which advocates for cafeteria directors and employees across the country.

Politico also reported that the USDA has terminated the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which would have provided approximately $500 million for food banks this year, according to a USDA representative.

Requests for comment were not immediately answered by USDA.
The ruling is a component of President Donald Trump’s larger initiative to drastically cut federal government spending.

The reductions coincide with Trump’s increased tariffs on Chinese, Canadian, and Mexican imports, which are escalating trade tensions with important consumers of US agricultural exports.

Farmers and agricultural support groups said that food organizations and farmers nationwide are reducing staff and postponing investments as USDA freezes other funds and programs.