USDA cuts programs sending Alabama-grown produce to schools, food banks
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Two federal programs that pay Alabama farmers to grow fresh produce for school cafeterias and food banks are coming to an abrupt end.
The now-canceled federal contracts poured millions of dollars into Alabama farms and put fresh foods into the hands of people who needed it.
Huntsville Police say one injured in Rime Village shooting
Fresh produce is a necessity for the people who visit food banks.
'It can really have a huge impact on you if you have the right nutritious food,' Food Bank of North Alabama CEO Shirley Schofield said.
Over the past three years, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program has brought more than a million pounds of produce from Alabama fields to the Food Bank of North Alabama.
'It definitely will have an impact on us in trying to decide how we're going to be able to replenish or replace the produce that we were getting from our local farmers,' Schofield said.
Jackson County EMA says wildfire contained near Scottsboro
The program's federal money has paid farmers more than $11 million to grow produce, and the 2025 contracts were expected to pay $5.6 million.
'That's going to be a big hit for our local farmers here in the state of Alabama, you know, that they're going to be feeling, especially since they've already purchased some of their seeds and other supplies that they need to grow the food that they were planning on using for this program,' Food Bank of North Alabama COO Joshua Matthews said. 'You know, further on in the summer months, in the height of the growing season.'
Another canceled program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, brought farm-fresh produce into schools. The federal money expanded a partnership the state had already established with Alabama farmers.
'We were actually having to go out to our growers, we have about 80 farmers in the thing, and ask them to grow, and say we guarantee we're going to grow this much and give it to the school system,' said Rick Pate, the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
Pate said the farm-grown food was then sent to schools that needed it.
📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox.
'We could actually target underserved schools that had over 50% of the children on reduced lunches, so that was great,' Pate said. 'Now, we could come back and backfill the school systems that weren't taking advantage of the state program.'
Pate said his department is always looking for ways to support local farmers. While this year's program will not happen, those working at the Food Bank of North Alabama, said they hope to see similar programs created in the future.
'It's been a really great collaborative process, and we really believe that we need collaborative solutions to end hunger in North Alabama and across the entire state,' Matthews said. 'This program was a great example of how we can work together to accomplish that.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
UAH announces Charger EDGE tuition discount program
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The University of Alabama in Huntsville is offering the Charger EDGE (Educational Discount for Graduate Excellence) program. The program will provide a 25% tuition discount on master's degrees and graduate certificate programs. The goal of the Charger EDGE program is to make graduate education more accessible. So, who is all eligible for the program? You must be a new graduate student or returning graduate student who has been inactive for at least two consecutive fall and spring terms to qualify for the Charger EDGE tuition discount. The Charger EDGE discount cannot be combined with any other institutional (academic) aid or assistantships. The Charger EDGE tuition discount is not retroactive for current master's degree-seeking students. The $60 application fee will be waived for any new domestic students applying to a master's degree program or a graduate certificate program. The 25% discount will apply to in-state tuition (Residents of Alabama), and select counties in Tennessee, only for new students enrolled into a master's degree program or a graduate certificate program for the 2025-2026 academic year. The application deadline is August 6, 2025. Classes will begin August 20, 2025. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Newsweek
SNAP Cuts Warning Over $85 Million of Nutrition Assistance
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Rhode Island could foot the bill for $85 million in SNAP benefits if the Republican budget bill passes, a senator has said. Why It Matters Under the Republican-led One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is making its way through the legislative process, states could be made to pay for a portion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. As it stands, states pay for half of the administrative costs of running the program, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture pays the other half. The USDA also covers the entire cost of benefits. In Rhode Island—which ranks 15th in the country for SNAP usage, according to an analysis by Trace One—SNAP is delivered to about 144,000 residents, providing monthly benefits to low- and no-income families. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities think tank reported in March that shifting some of the cost of SNAP benefits to states would negatively affect state budgets "at a time when many states are facing revenue downturns." What To Know Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat, has said the Ocean State could be on the hook for $85 million of the roughly $343.5 million the state receives from the USDA to pay for SNAP benefits. Other provisions outlined in the bill, such as expanding work requirements and limiting future benefit increases, could "reduce monthly nutrition assistance for children from low-income families, seniors, disabled Americans, and veterans below what is necessary to maintain a healthy diet," a June 6 news release from Reed's office said. Reed said the entire state would be affected by the proposed SNAP cuts, not only through a potential loss of benefits for recipients but also lost productivity and increased expenditures in other public areas, such as health care. He said it would also affect the state's businesses and economy. A stock image of a SNAP sign in a retailer's window. A stock image of a SNAP sign in a retailer's window. GETTY "Every dollar in federal SNAP investment generates over $1.50 in economic activity," Reed said. "If you start taking hundreds of millions of dollars out of the local economy, it means stores close, farms go under, and food prices keep going up. Ultimately, the Republican plan would make it harder for Rhode Island families to afford their grocery bills." The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said in its March report: "States are not in a position to absorb these substantial additional costs. In fiscal year 2024, tax revenue fell in 40 states after adjusting for inflation, and many states are projecting budget shortfalls in the short and long term." Other states have also warned that they could be forced to pay millions to keep SNAP benefits available if the bill passes in its current form. In late May, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said the state would lose about $314 million in food assistance if the legislation came to pass. Michigan has also warned that it could be forced to foot a $900 million bill for food assistance. What People Are Saying Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, said in a news release issued on June 6: "When Republicans threaten to cut SNAP benefits, they're really threatening public health, working families, and our economy. Access to food is essential for everyone. The Republican plan would mean less food for the poor, fewer jobs, and less economic activity in the community. It would increase hunger and hardship." Darcy Milburn, the director of Social Security and health care policy at the Arc of the United States, told Newsweek: "Any cuts to SNAP funding would make it even harder for people with disabilities and their families to access the food they need to live healthy lives. We urge Congress to reject proposals for any cuts to SNAP, and to work on a bipartisan basis to strengthen and protect this critical program." Lisa Roth Blackman, the chief philanthropy officer of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, said in a news release: "The impact that this cut will have on families, children, seniors, and veterans will be catastrophic. Kids will be less ready to learn in school. Working adults won't have the energy to work. Seniors will be forced to make terrible choices about whether to pay for prescriptions and healthcare or food. And veterans and people with disabilities will struggle to get the food they need to survive and thrive." President Donald Trump, who has not commented directly on the SNAP provisions, wrote on Truth Social following the passage of the bill in the House of Representatives: "It's time for our friends in the United States Senate to get to work, and send this Bill to my desk AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!" What Happens Next The bill moves to the GOP-controlled Senate this week, where lawmakers may propose changes to the legislation.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business Wire
Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated Awarded $150,000 Grant from Global Water Challenge to Strengthen Rural Water Leadership and Resilience
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) has been awarded $150,000 from Global Water Challenge (GWC). The funding will expand efforts to build leadership capacity in underserved rural communities by supporting participation in the Water Leadership Institute's workshops and eliminating financial and logistical barriers that may prevent individuals from participating. 'Global Water Challenge is committed to removing barriers to last-mile clean water access in the United States and across the world," said Monica Ellis, CEO of Global Water Challenge. 'Cultivating and quipping local champions with the skills to serve their communities with clean water access is a key strategy for reaching those at the last mile.' GWC's funding will enable individuals from disadvantaged rural communities to attend a series of leadership workshops focused on strengthening water system governance, operations and community engagement. Participants who complete at least 75% of the sessions will receive a direct financial stipend upon graduation of the Institute, easing the financial and logistical barriers that may otherwise prevent participation of these sessions. Participants will take the knowledge and experience they achieved from participation in the Water Leadership Institute to strengthen the capacity of rural water systems within their own communities. GWC and RCAP anticipate that up to 50 rural communities will be positively reached with improved capacity from this support. 'This initiative directly invests in the people, the human capital, who are on the front lines of ensuring clean and safe water in their communities,' said Olga Morales-Pate, CEO of RCAP. 'Removing barriers to participation and prioritizing local, emerging leaders bolsters our mission to ensure long-term solutions for rural water challenges and improves the quality of life of rural community residents.' Funding for this program was made possible through the generosity of the Kohler Clean Water Trust, who selected GWC to manage programming, including this key initiative with RCAP, that will drive last-mile water access in high-need American communities. To learn more about RCAP's mission and impact, visit To learn more about GWC, visit About Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) The Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) is a national network of nonprofit partners working to provide technical assistance, training, resources and support to rural communities across every state, the U.S. territories and Tribal lands. Through RCAP's regional partners, more than 350 technical assistance providers (TAPs) build long-term capacity through trusted relationships with thousands of communities across the country. About Global Water Challenge (GWC) Global Water Challenge (GWC) is a sector leader in mobilizing clean water access, advancing water security and community empowerment in high need regions around the world. Since 2005, GWC has positively impacted more than three million people across Africa, the Americas and Asia with improved WASH delivery while providing critical tools, data and best practices to reach millions more. With our 100+ multi-sector partners, GWC engages for action – catalyzing financial resources and driving innovative programming for sustainable, local solutions. For more information, please visit About Water Leadership Institute (WLI) The WLI aims to build capacity and leadership skills in rural communities so members can effectively engage in broader water discussions and decision-making that could have a direct impact on their lives and communities. The purpose of the WLI is to develop volunteer leaders, connect them to each other and to regional resources, and to forge strong relationships that support community interests. The WLI ultimately aims to empower communities to be self-sufficient and sustainable. RCAP and its western regional partner Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) began the first Leadership Institute in 2004. In 2013, the first Water Leadership Institute was held as a partnership program between RCAC, Self-Help Enterprises, and Environmental Defense Fund. It has since grown and evolved, with an average of two to four cohorts per year, and over 60 communities served across the rural west.
