By Brenda Baletti | Source
The USDA cut two programs that gave schools and food banks over $1 billion in funds to purchase food from local farms and ranchers. Experts who spoke with The Defender say the cuts could have negative consequences for local farmers who rely on the income and vulnerable children who may not get nutrient-dense food anywhere else.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) last week cut two programs that provided U.S. schools and food banks over $1 billion to purchase food from local farms and ranchers, Politico reported.
Approximately $660 million went to schools and childcare facilities, which used the funding to buy food from local farms through the Local Food for Schools program. The remainder went to fund a similar initiative, the Local Food Purchase Assistance program, which buys and distributes locally produced food to in-state food banks.
The cuts threaten to hurt school districts that are already short on resources needed to provide children with healthy lunches, School Nutrition Association (SNA) President Shannon Gleave said in a statement.
“With research showing school meals are the healthiest meals Americans eat, Congress needs to invest in underfunded school meal programs rather than cut services critical to student achievement and health,” she said.
Pediatrician Michelle Perro of GMO Science voiced similar concerns. She said eliminating programs that help schools purchase fresh, locally sourced food “is a deeply misguided decision that will negatively impact children’s health.”
“Access to healthy, nutrient-dense meals is essential for proper growth and cognitive development, especially for vulnerable students who rely on school meals,” Perro said.
She said supporting local ranchers strengthens communities and ensures food quality. “This policy change not only undermines these benefits but also prioritizes short-term cost-cutting over the long-term health of our children,” Perro said. “This is 100% not in line with the MAHA [Make America Healthy Again] agenda and must be reinstated.”
More than 40 states have signed agreements to participate in the programs. Some of the largest amounts of program money were earmarked for farmers in California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and Georgia, according to The New Lede.
In a statement to The Defender, the USDA said the programs were pandemic-era programs canceled because they “no longer effectuate the goals of the agency.”
“With 16 robust nutrition programs in place, USDA remains focused on its core mission: strengthening food security, supporting agricultural markets, and ensuring access to nutritious food.”
A USDA spokesperson said the agency is focusing on programs that “deliver lasting impact.”
“The COVID era is over — USDA’s approach to nutrition programs will reflect that reality moving forward,” the spokesperson said.
The agency notified the states and Native American tribes that the funding for the programs for fiscal year 2025 has been canceled and the agreements will be terminated following a 60-day notification, according to USDA.
Funding for both programs was expanded under the Biden administration “to build a more resilient food supply chain that didn’t just rely on major food companies,” Politico said. Last year, the USDA announced more than $1 billion in additional funding for the programs.
SNA said other school lunch funding is also on the chopping block. The organization lobbied against these and additional cuts for school meal programs at the Capitol on Tuesday. They cited several proposed reductions listed in House Republicans’ budget reconciliation package that they say will threaten school meal programs and severely limit student access to healthy meals.
Fund the Amish, hire veterans or even introduce farming in prisons, even consider unemployed locals and students to farm on school premises. Start a seed bank like in Norway, build year long geodesic domes for indoor gardening. Begin teaching real hygienic nutrition, not the institutional over cooked flop they call food. All these extra curricular activities should be replaced with real skills of biodynamic farming,use available land for vineyards, berries, greens, herbs, fruit trees instead of parking lots, sell unused buildings or tear them downs and nourish the soil with kelp, rock dust and other composts, sell your excess at farmers markets or restaurants, teach real science, spiritual science (Rudolf Steiner, Anastasia, straw bale revolution). [https://www.ringingcedarsofrussia.org/Main/English/index.php]
Luis, I hope these nice things come to pass 💎😁
Thank you for sharing this truth, Brenda. As a retired schoolteacher in rural New Hampshire, I totally agree with you!
Eliminating waste and fraud is important – but a disturbing pattern is emerging: Vital programs helping children, farmers, vets, Nature, etc. are being ruthlessly cut, while Tax cuts for the wealthiest corporations and individuals are protected at all cost.
Please let’s stay clear-eyed and compassionate, rather than chained to any particular narrative.
Would be nice if USA had infinite money to fund every possible need for the universe. Sadly USA does not have enough to even fund itself (not with massive waste and USAID mega fraud & malfeasance). First USA needs to get their own house in order before funding illegals who are a drag on the class and hold back the whole class since do not even speak English. Trying to save the world while your own country is bankrupt is patent foolishness. Yes I agree if we had infinite money then we could fund illegals, to teach them English and educate them enough to be a citizen. But until then, let us take the beam out of our own eyes before we try and save the universe. USA is responsible for USA, not Mexico, not Guatemala, not any other corrupt country on the planet. Those who cannot or will not must be left behind.
This article makes a good point, Theosophist.
….but what I noticed, is that there isn’t a counterpoint, other than a brief reference that this was Biden Covid$
Ha, which always reeks of fraud and corruption and kickbacks.
T said in many speeches that he’d remove unfair taxation and expensive red tape from the farmers. I don’t have time in my day to look into everything he’s affecting, but I do believe farmers, ranchers, Amish, will be taken care of, as promised.
Thank you, Theo, for pointing at the elephant in the middle of the room. This country’s hollowed out, and I have no doubts that this is a fraudulent use of taxpayers hard earned money.
The author included the fact, even if a bit biased otherwise 👏👏👏
We’re all human, we all have biases.
Those at the top have wealth and power, there’s no such thing as a poor country, just poor citizens.
It’s up to a higher power, to help us to break loose.
I enjoyed your comment, Theosophist. Too many children are dragged into this country, for evil purposes.💔
Thank you Diamond Lil. After Prepare for Change denying my comments, I wonder why I bother posting at all, but you vindicate all who seek to spread the truth. (It was about end of 1st amendment for all except Jewish. They can steal, bomb, murder and confiscate a nation. Then if you try and peacefully protest you are outlawed and exiled. The criminals are those who try and ban honest free speech. Imagine a court room where only the prosecutors & criminals are allowed to speak.)
Wow Theo, you revealing this blocked comment on what SOUNDS like a free speech website, show them to be what they really are-
which is at home with the scuttling roaches, inside the walls.
I don’t know why they are being saved for last.
No one knows why they are being saved for last!
🤔…in a sick person, when they go on a health regimen, the most recent ailment leaves first.
It really does take time and effort to eliminate the oldest, original ailment.
We’ve cracked the code, Theo!
😁♥️