FoodCorps Responds to USDA Cuts to Local Food Spending

“We hope that the USDA will recognize the value of fresh, locally sourced produce as a cornerstone of children’s nutrition, and will make a renewed commitment to supporting both local farmers and our kids’ health.” —Curt Ellis, co-founder and CEO of FoodCorps

Washington, DC, March 12, 2025—FoodCorps is deeply disappointed with the USDA’s decision to halt more than $1 billion in federal spending that previously helped schools and food banks procure food from local farms. This change includes canceling $660 million that schools and child care facilities were planning to use to purchase food from nearby farms, ending the Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) program.

These programs are vital for connecting schools and food banks with local farms, helping students access fresh, nutritious produce, and supporting local farmers and agriculture systems. As we look toward the future, we believe programs that bring healthy, local food into schools are critical to the transition away from ultra-processed meals, and represent a strategic investment in our nation’s health.

“We hope that the USDA will recognize the value of fresh, locally sourced produce as a cornerstone of children’s nutrition, and will make a renewed commitment to supporting both local farmers and our kids’ health,” said Curt Ellis, co-founder and CEO of FoodCorps. “We are ready to engage in meaningful conversations about how we can build on this vision—one where every child, in every community, has access to healthy meals, and our local food economies are stronger for it.”

These cuts are a step backward, but the door remains open for officials who understand the economic and nutritional benefits of local food production to create new solutions that support children and local farmers. FoodCorps encourages our community to join us in advocating for this vision, urging leaders and the USDA to find other avenues to protect and strengthen local purchasing programs and build momentum toward a food system where every child is nourished, and every community thrives.

About FoodCorps
FoodCorps partners with schools and communities 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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