March 14th, 2025
By Heidi Exline
American Farmland Trust and the New York Grown Food for New York Kids Coalition Oppose Recent Federal Administrative Actions to Cut Over $1 Billion in Funding for Schools and Local Food Purchases
(Albany, NY) On March 10th, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) cut two federal programs – Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). Collectively these programs spend over $1 billion annually to support schools and food banks to purchase from local farms and ranches.
This program is vital to New York State farmers, schools, and anti-hunger organizations and support a resilient food system and rural economy. To date, New York State has received $61.2 million between the two programs ($49.6 million in LFPA and LFPA Plus funds; $12 million in LFS funds). Without LFS and LFPA funding many schools and anti-hunger organizations in New York will lose the opportunity to purchase and distribute local, nutritious foods to those most in need. Farmers stand to lose economically, as they have invested time and resources into infrastructure needed to sell to institutions. Losing out on a critical domestic market is an additional blow to farmers across New York and hurts the local economy as well. LFS and LFPA were created to support local, small, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers and cutting these funds will be a significant setback in the progress that has been made to establish a strong farm-to-institution supply chain in New York State.
AFT and the coalition urge individuals to contact their members of Congress to voice their support for farmers, schools, families, and these fundamental programs. Click here to find your members of Congress.
“A federal strategy to ‘Make America’s Children Healthy Again’ must include fresh, whole foods, at school and at home, as well as healthy places to live and learn.”
Claire Barnett – Executive Director, Healthy Schools Network
“USDA’s recent $1 billion cut to school food programs, farm-to-school initiatives, and food banks is a devastating blow to the very systems that support the health and well-being of our most vulnerable children and communities. At a time when food insecurity and food costs are on the rise, school meals and food banks are a lifeline for millions of Americans. This decision undermines efforts to ensure every student has access to nutritious meals, while also dismantling critical local food systems that support small-scale farmers. These cuts reflect misplaced priorities and a failure to recognize the importance of investing in the long-term health of our nation’s future.”
Alexina Cather – Director of Policy & Special Projects at Wellness in the Schools
“The elimination of these funding programs will mean students in our district who depend on school meals as their main source of nutrition during the week will have decreased access to local fresh food and vegetables. It also means that the many small farmers our programming supports and keeps afloat will have difficulty continuing. America is built on the labor and nourishment provided by our small Family Farms who face a multitude of challenges in continuing to farm. By eliminating this vital source of funding for our communities and State these farmers and all the communities they support will suffer along with our kids.”
Rebekka Henriksen – Farm to School Project Manager, Office of Innovation, Equity & Engagement Schenectady City School District
“All 15 of our school districts utilized LFS funding to bring fresh, local food to 65 school buildings, while also supporting three local producers. This investment of $289,630 has strengthened our community and ensured students have access to nutritious, locally grown or raised products. These funds are key in sustaining our farm-to-school program for the future. We are devastated to hear that his funding will no longer be available, as it positively impacted students, communities, and farmers.”
Annie Hudock – Senior Food Services Director, Broome-Tioga BOCES
“SVHC serves Cortland County, the northernmost Appalachian County, addressing food insecurity, healthcare access, and rural disparities. The Produce Prescription (PRx) program provides free, home-delivered produce for 22 weeks to improve food security, nutrition, and health literacy while supporting local farms. Due to federal cuts, PRx may end in 2025, costing farmers $63,000 and leaving 400+ residents without nutrient-dense food. Since 2020, PRx has served 465+ residents, invested $157K+ into local farms, and provided 51,875 meals in 2024 alone. PRx builds a stronger local food system, connecting farmers with those in need and promoting food density and equity in Cortland County.”
Kate Downes – Seven Valleys Health Coalition (SVHC) – Cortland County
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American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food® message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families.