WASHINGTON — Democratic members of the Senate and the House of Representatives continue to ask for answers on the US Department of Agriculture’s decision to cancel $1 billion in food purchase programs from the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS).

The programs were designed to provide school districts and food banks with the ability to purchase items from local farmers and producers.

The USDA recently notified previous recipients of the programs that they would be terminated within 60 days of the notification.

“As a pandemic-era program, LFPA will now be sunsetted at the end of the performance period, marking a return to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives,” a USDA spokesperson said to MEAT+POULTRY. “This isn’t an abrupt shift — just last week, USDA released over half a billion in previously obligated funds for LFPA and LFS to fulfill existing commitments and support ongoing local food purchases. With 16 robust nutrition programs in place, USDA remains focused on its core mission: strengthening food security, supporting agricultural markets, and ensuring access to nutritious food. Unlike the Biden administration, which funneled billions in CCC funds into short-term programs with no plan for longevity, USDA is prioritizing stable, proven solutions that deliver lasting impact. The COVID era is over — USDA’s approach to nutrition programs will reflect that reality moving forward.”  

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service plans to resume processing claims for payment for LFPA and LFPA plus for activities accruing before and after Jan. 20, 2025. 

In its letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, 31 US senators noted that by the end of 2024, 8,000 producers supported the program.

“We have grave concerns that the cancellation of LFPA and LFS poses extreme harm to producers and communities in every state across the country,” the letter stated. “At a time of uncertainty in farm country, farmers need every opportunity to be able to expand market access for their products.”

In a separate inquiry, 82 House members asked several questions including:

• How will USDA assist farmers in the coming growing season that lost a market due to LFPA and LFS termination?
• How will USDA assist additional impacted communities, including feeding programs, school children and school nutrition professionals, and child care facilities?

The School Nutrition Association and several other national, state and local organizations continue to advocate for the reinstatement of the money for the programs.

In late February, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) noted their support for the LFPA program and looked for it to be made permanent.

“By connecting our farmers with school nutrition programs, we create meaningful economic incentives that strengthen local food systems, supports producers, and stabilizes our communities nationwide,” said Wes Ward, president of NASDA and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture. “Securing continuity of these programs and reducing unnecessary regulatory requirements is crucial to ensuring children have access to a variety of nutritious meals while at school.”