By Leah Douglas (Reuters) – Democratic senators in the United States are urging the Department of Agriculture to reverse the decision to cancel programs that have allocated over $2 billion for local food purchases for schools and food banks. A draft of the letter, as seen by Reuters, reveals the senators’ intent to challenge the administration’s cuts that have negatively impacted farmers. The cancellation of these programs is yet another setback for farmers amidst ongoing government budget reductions and staff cuts.
The letter, addressed to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and signed by Senators Adam Schiff, Ben Ray Lujan, Amy Klobuchar, Jeanne Shaheen, and others, emphasizes the detrimental effects the cancellation of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program and the Local Food for Schools program would have on farmers nationwide. The senators stress the importance of providing opportunities for farmers to expand their market access during these uncertain times in the agricultural industry.
Senator Klobuchar, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, along with Senators Schiff and Lujan, who are also committee members, are leading the efforts to advocate for the reinstatement of the programs. Despite the USDA’s stance on not reviving the programs, Secretary Rollins is open to suggestions on alternative approaches to nutrition programs going forward.
Initiated in 2021 to support the disrupted food supply chain during the pandemic, these programs have distributed more than $2 billion to states, territories, and tribal governments. California and Texas have been the top recipients of funding from these programs, receiving $230 million and $203 million, respectively. Advocacy groups, including anti-hunger and school nutrition organizations, have condemned the program cancellations, citing the adverse impact on communities already facing food insecurity.
Local food advocates, school nutrition professionals, and concerned citizens have mobilized to oppose the cuts and have engaged with lawmakers to push back against the proposed reductions in school meal programs. The cancellation of the programs threatens to worsen food insecurity for thousands of individuals across the country, particularly during a period of economic uncertainty and rising food costs.
In a USDA study conducted in 2023, 35% of school nutrition authorities identified cost as a significant barrier to purchasing local food for meal programs, underscoring the importance of supporting local food initiatives. The senators’ efforts to reinstate these vital programs aim to provide much-needed relief to farmers and strengthen local food systems across the nation.
(Reporting by Leah Douglas; Editing by Rod Nickel)
