FoodCorps Frustrated by Cancellation of Farm to School Grants, Another Blow to Local Food

FoodCorps Frustrated by Cancellation of Farm to School Grants, Another Blow to Local Food

WASHINGTON, DC (March 31, 2025)—FoodCorps is deeply frustrated by the abrupt cancellation of $5 million in funding for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program—a vital initiative that has helped schools source fresh, local food for students for over a decade. Established in 2013, this program has been instrumental in connecting farmers, schools, and families, ensuring kids receive nutritious meals while strengthening local food economies.

“For years, the Farm to School Grant Program has empowered schools to provide healthier meals, educate students about nutrition, and support local farmers,” said Curt Ellis, co-founder and CEO of FoodCorps. “Its cancellation is a major setback for children’s health, food security, and agricultural sustainability.”

This loss of funding follows the USDA’s rollback of $1 billion in support for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). Without these critical investments, many schools will struggle to afford fresh, locally sourced food—forcing them to rely more on processed options. Meanwhile, farmers who have built stable partnerships with schools will face serious financial challenges. We’re disturbed by this series of cuts to programs that are imperative in feeding our nation’s children healthy, local school food.

FoodCorps urges the USDA to reconsider this decision and restore this vital funding—our children’s health, our farmers’ livelihoods, and the strength of our communities depend on it.

ABOUT FOODCORPS
FoodCorps partners with schools and districts to nourish kids’ health, education, and sense of community. Our AmeriCorps members support educators and school nutrition leaders to provide students with nourishing meals, food education, and family-driven experiences with food that celebrate and nurture the whole child. Building on our school programming, FoodCorps develops leaders, grows networks, and advocates for policy change in service of every child’s health and well-being.

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