USDA Cuts $660 Million Local Food for Schools Program for 2025

In a major shift aimed at reducing federal spending, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will cancel the $660 million Local Food for Schools program for 2025. The decision was confirmed in a press release by the School Nutrition Association, which represents cafeteria workers and directors nationwide.

The Local Food for Schools program has long enabled schools to purchase locally produced foods, supporting regional farmers while providing students with fresh and nutritious meals. In addition to this cut, the USDA also discontinued the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program: an initiative slated to receive roughly $500 million,further diminishing federal support for local food sourcing.

Critics have quickly raised alarms about the broader impact of these cuts. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, for instance, condemned the decision, emphasizing that the move will hurt local families and farmers who rely on the program’s benefits. The elimination of these funds is expected to challenge local food systems already grappling with other economic pressures, including trade tensions and tariff-related disruptions.

Previously, the USDA had announced a $1.13 billion investment designed to bolster local and regional food systems by supporting purchases for schools, food banks, and child care centers. With these new funding cuts, education and agriculture leaders are now calling for alternative measures to ensure that communities continue to have access to healthy, locally sourced foods.

As stakeholders weigh the implications of these changes, many are urging policymakers to reconsider the long-term effects on local economies and the nutritional wellbeing of students nationwide.