The U.S. Agriculture Department is ending two pandemic-era programs that provided over $1 billion for schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers and producers. The Local Foods for Schools program allocated $660 million for schools and childcare centers to buy food directly from local producers. In Maine, this funding allowed the RSU 23 school district to support local farmers and provide healthier meals to students. The cuts will negatively impact school districts with limited meal budgets, according to the School Nutrition Association.
USDA justified ending the programs by stating that they were a legacy of the pandemic and no longer aligned with the agency’s priorities. Massachusetts received $12 million in federal funding for school districts to buy food from local producers, but officials are disappointed by the cuts. School nutrition directors are concerned about potential cuts to programs that expanded funding for school meals, which are crucial for many children.
Proposed spending cuts to fund a Republican tax bill include raising the poverty level needed to provide universal free meals, restricting eligibility for food assistance programs, and requiring income verification for free or reduced-price school meals. These measures could prevent eligible families from accessing food, according to the School Nutrition Association.
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