Students in New York may struggle to get lunch during the upcoming school year.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cut two major programs that provide more than $1 billion to schools and food banks to purchase food from local farms and ranches.
The move is expected to have a significant impact on several schools across the country, including New York.
The Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, which provided approximately $660 million to schools and childcare facilities, has been terminated for the fiscal year 2025. The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which helped food banks and other feeding organizations, has also been eliminated.
Reduce Federal Spending
These cuts are part of President Trump’s plan to reduce federal spending. However, it comes at a time when food banks are facing increased demand due to rising food prices.
School nutrition officials and state leaders have expressed concern about the decision’s impact on student access to healthy meals and support for local farmers.
Advocates argue that school meals are critical for student health and academic performance.
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is rallying supporters to urge Congress to reject the proposed cuts.
“These proposals would cause millions of children to lose access to free school meals at a time when working families are struggling with rising food costs,” says SNA President Shannon Gleave.
States Affected by the Cuts
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
I’m all for reducing wasteful government spending, but funding to feed children and support local farmers is anything but wasteful.
