USDA Cuts $1 Billion In Local Food Buying Funds: How New York Will Be Impacted

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently reduced funding for two federal programs that help schools and food banks buy food from local farms and ranches. The total yearly funding affected is more than $1 billion.

School Nutrition Association Expresses Concern

The School Nutrition Association, which speaks for cafeteria workers and directors all over the country, is really worried about the USDA cutting the $660 million Local Food for Schools program for 2025, issuing a statement expressing its alarm.

Termination of Local Food Purchase Assistance Program

According to Politico, the USDA has also cut the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which was set to provide around $500 million in support to food banks this year.

Aggressive Reduction in Government Spending

The USDA said the programs started by the previous government don't fit their goals anymore, so they decided to end them. This matches with President Trump's plan to cut how much money the federal government spends.

Impact of Trade Disputes

These cuts are happening at the same time as the government is adding new taxes on products from Canada, Mexico, and China. This could cause problems with how U.S. farm products are sold to other countries.

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The choice to reduce funding for these important programs is in line with the current administration's efforts to make government operations more efficient and spend less money. In an email, the USDA said they don't have the money for these programs in 2025 anymore, so they will be ending the agreements after giving a 60-day notice.