Trump Administration Ends Food Programs Supporting Local Farmers and Families

Two major federal food programs created during the pandemic to Support small farms and food access have been cut by the Trump administration, a move that could hit local farmers and food banks across the U.S. hard. According to The New York Times reporters Julie Creswell and Linda Qiu, the Agriculture Department abruptly ended the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement and the Local Foods for Schools program, which together were expected to provide over $2 billion in funding through 2025.

At farms like Liz Graznak’s Happy Hollow Farm in Missouri, the cut is already being felt. The programs provided nearly a quarter of her farm’s annual revenue, helping deliver fresh, locally grown vegetables to schools and low-income families. “That money was supporting the growth of my farm,” she said. Now she’s worried about how to cover her $750,000 in loans.

The Biden-era programs aimed to shorten supply chains and promote climate-friendly agriculture by funding schools, food hubs, and food banks to buy from over 8,000 local farmers. The new administration calls this spending “nonessential,” stating it’s part of a broader return to “fiscally responsible initiatives.”

But many, including Tom McDougall of 4P Foods, argue these weren’t handouts—they were investments in a stronger, more local, and more ethical food system. His company was set to receive $3 million to buy from 200 local producers. Now, some partnerships will end entirely.

School districts like Capistrano Unified in California were using the funds to swap out processed food for local, organic fruits, veggies, and ethically sourced meat. Without Support, healthier, plant-based meals could be on the chopping block.

We can’t build a sustainable, just food system without supporting small, local farms. Choose to shop at farmers’ markets, Support plant-based meals in schools, and call on leaders to reinvest in food justice.

Video Source: WFAA/Youtube

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