Kansas food banks, produce farmers blindsided by USDA's $1B funding cut
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The United States Department of Agriculture cut $1 billion of federal funds dedicated to two programs. The Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program is geared toward Kansas schools. Meanwhile, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) targets local food banks.
The goal was to incentivize local organizations to purchase from Kansas farmers. In the case of the Kansas Food Bank, it kept them buying produce in-state.
The LFPA helped to open additional markets for Kansas produce. Because of the state's climate, fresh fruits and vegetables are difficult to grow. With the program hitting the chopping block, Kansas produce growers will likely be a rarer sight, and the locally stocked shelves of the Kansas Food Bank may soon need a new source.
'There's nothing better for a healthy diet than fresh produce, right? And you take that away,' Kansas Food Bank CEO Brian Walker said.
The program, which started in 2023, has been paying dividends in its two-year lifespan, according to Walker. In 2024, the food bank spent $1.7 million in federal funds on Kansas-grown produce.
'We'll try to do our best to purchase them locally, but it's just not feasible because they're not going to grow any extra product because they know that we're not here to buy it this year,' Walker said.
USDA cancels $1B funding for local food programs and schools, will hit Kansas farms
He says the LFPA succeeded in its goal of enriching Kansas farmers. Keeping those dollars within state lines also encouraged those farmers to diversify their crops or grow a surplus.
'We were able to get a real fresh product to them. Most of the time, we picked it that morning,' Ron Jirak, with Jirak Brothers Produce, said.
For Jirak, the surplus is around 10% of his crop.
'If we'd have known, say, back in October, November that this program wasn't going to be there, we just wouldn't have ordered plants and seed and materials for production in the Spring,' he said.
The program's cancellation leaves food banks without the funds to buy the excess, putting producers into limbo.
'I have to find a place for the 10% now because I'm kind of locked into my production at this time,' Jirak said.
Having extra products and nowhere to put them away hurts a supplier's bottom line and a distributor's clients.
'In the past, we were able to put that food on the table, they didn't have to buy it at the grocery store, and they could spend those dollars on other things,' Walker said.
He says the food bank will have to ramp up its fundraising efforts without the additional federal funds. Jirak says that even though he's disappointed and expects to feel the loss, he's confident they'll pull through.
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
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Australia Tomato Sauce Market Research 2025-2034: Exports Strengthen Global Market Presence
CAGR of 2.86% expected during 2025-2034, driven by household and food service demand, innovation in flavors, health-focused options, private-label growth, and export possibilities Dublin, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Australia Tomato Sauce Market 2025-2034" report has been added to to this report, the Australia tomato sauce market size witnessed a healthy growth in 2024. Aided by the growing preference for natural, preservative-free products and the increasing popularity of gourmet and artisanal flavours, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.86% between 2025 and 2034. The Australia tomato sauce market growth is being driven by the widespread use of tomato juice as a staple condiment in households, food service establishments, and packaged food products. Tomato sauce holds a prominent position in Australian cuisine, often accompanying traditional favourites such as meat pies, sausages, burgers, and chips. Its versatility and widespread appeal across all age groups make it a kitchen essential, contributing to its consistent presence on supermarket shelves and in restaurant kitchens. The market is defined by both well-established brands and a growing number of boutique and private-label producers offering a variety of flavour profiles, ingredient compositions, and packaging innovations to meet evolving consumer and taste remain key drivers aiding the Australia tomato sauce market expansion. Busy lifestyles and the popularity of quick meals have contributed to the sustained use of tomato sauce as a convenient way to add flavour and moisture to a wide range of dishes. Consumers continue to value the familiar taste of classic tomato sauce, which balances sweetness and acidity while enhancing the appeal of savoury foods. Leading manufacturers have developed multiple product variants to cater to diverse taste preferences, including mild, spicy, low-sodium, and sugar-free options. This product diversification helps meet the growing demand for customisation and dietary considerations without compromising the taste per the Australia tomato sauce market analysis, health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking tomato sauce products made with natural ingredients and minimal additives. Clean-label formulations that highlight the absence of artificial colours, preservatives, and high-fructose corn syrup are gaining popularity. Brands that use Australian-grown tomatoes, organic ingredients, or eco-friendly packaging are being well received by consumers who prioritise sustainability and local sourcing. The focus on transparency and healthier ingredient lists has encouraged innovation in product development, resulting in the launch of sauces enriched with herbs, spices, or vegetables for added nutrition and flavour complexity. These trends reflect broader shifts in consumer attitudes toward food quality and food service industry remains a significant contributor boosting the Australia tomato sauce market revenue. Restaurants, cafes, catering services, and fast-food outlets rely on bulk packaging and consistent flavour profiles to meet customer expectations across high-traffic environments. Tomato sauce is used not only as a table condiment but also as a base for marinades, pasta dishes, pizzas, and burger preparations. As the hospitality sector continues to recover and grow, the demand for high-quality, shelf-stable, and cost-effective tomato sauce products is expected to rise. Suppliers are focusing on reliable logistics, customisable packaging, and food safety compliance to meet the needs of commercial buyers and institutional distribution channels for tomato sauce in Australia are diverse, with supermarkets, grocery chains, convenience stores, and online platforms offering a wide selection of brands and formats. The rise of e-commerce has enabled consumers to explore premium and artisanal options beyond mainstream supermarket offerings, fuelling the Australia tomato sauce market platforms provide a space for smaller brands to reach broader audiences and offer subscription models or bundled deals for regular users. This digital shift is enhancing customer engagement, allowing producers to collect feedback, launch limited-edition flavours, and promote value-added propositions such as recyclable bottles or refillable pouches. Consumer loyalty is increasingly being driven by convenience, product quality, and brand tomato sauces are gaining a significant portion of the Australia tomato sauce market share as retailers expand their in-house offerings to compete with national brands. These products appeal to price-sensitive consumers and often deliver comparable quality at lower price points. Retailers are investing in product differentiation through improved ingredient sourcing, sustainable packaging, and competitive branding rise in demand for store-brand sauces is fostering price competition while encouraging established players to focus on innovation, marketing, and customer retention. Manufacturers are responding by reinforcing brand identity, investing in shelf presence, and expanding their range with niche products such as chilli-infused or gourmet-style tomato opportunities are also contributing to the Australia tomato sauce market outlook, with Australian tomato sauce being well received in regional markets and among expatriate communities. The reputation for high-quality agricultural produce and stringent food safety standards enhances the global appeal of Australian-made sauces. Exporters are exploring markets across the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and North America, focusing on brand storytelling, flavour authenticity, and packaging tailored to local preferences. Trade partnerships and government initiatives promoting food exports are helping small and mid-sized producers reach international customers and grow their footprint beyond domestic the Australia tomato sauce market remains robust, it is not without challenges. Fluctuations in raw material costs, particularly tomato supply and processing expenses, can impact production margins. Weather-related disruptions and changes in agricultural policy may affect the availability and pricing of key inputs. Additionally, competition from imported sauces and substitute condiments such as barbecue sauce, aioli, and sriracha presents a challenge for market share retention. To navigate these issues, industry participants are focusing on operational efficiency, strong supplier relationships, and investment in research and development to stay ahead of changing consumer ahead, the future of the Australia tomato sauce market appears positive, supported by sustained household demand, expanding product lines, and growing interest in premium, health-oriented, and sustainably sourced options. As manufacturers continue to respond to consumer preferences for flavour, transparency, and convenience, the category is set to evolve with new innovations and market strategies. With a blend of tradition and modernisation, the market remains a dynamic and integral part of Australia's food sector, offering value to consumers and growth potential for producers and retailers alike. Competitive LandscapeThe report looks into the market shares, plant turnarounds, capacities, investments, and mergers and acquisitions, among other major developments, of the leading companies operating in the Australia tomato sauce market. Some of the major players explored in the report are as follows: KAGOME Australia Pty. Ltd. Mars, Incorporated MON Natural Foods Pty. Ltd. J.R. Simplot Company Sabrands Australia Management Pty. Ltd. Beerenberg Pty. Ltd. Three Threes Condiments Pty Ltd. Spring Gully Foods Pty. Ltd. Emelia's The Saucy Australian JimJam Foods Others Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 115 Forecast Period 2025-2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $310.5 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $400.2 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 2.8% Regions Covered Australia Key Topics Covered1 Executive Summary1.1 Market Size 2024-20251.2 Market Growth 2025(F)-2034(F)1.3 Key Demand Drivers1.4 Key Players and Competitive Structure1.5 Industry Best Practices1.6 Recent Trends and Developments1.7 Industry Outlook2 Market Overview and Stakeholder Insights2.1 Market Trends2.2 Key Verticals2.3 Key Regions2.4 Supplier Power2.5 Buyer Power2.6 Key Market Opportunities and Risks2.7 Key Initiatives by Stakeholders3 Economic Summary3.1 GDP Outlook3.2 GDP Per Capita Growth3.3 Inflation Trends3.4 Democracy Index3.5 Gross Public Debt Ratios3.6 Balance of Payment (BoP) Position3.7 Population Outlook3.8 Urbanisation Trends4 Country Risk Profiles4.1 Country Risk4.2 Business Climate5 Australia Tomato Sauce Market Overview5.1 Key Industry Highlights5.2 Australia Tomato Sauce Historical Market (2018-2024)5.3 Australia Tomato Sauce Market Forecast (2025-2034)6 Australia Tomato Sauce Market by Type6.1 Regular6.2 Flavoured 7 Australia Tomato Sauce Market by Packaging7.1 Bottle7.2 Pouch7.3 Others 8 Australia Tomato Sauce Market by Application8.1 Commercial8.2 Household 9 Australia Tomato Sauce Market by Distribution Channel9.1 Supermarkets and Hypermarkets9.2 Convenience Stores9.3 Online9.4 Others 10 Australia Tomato Sauce Market by Region10.1 New South Wales10.2 Victoria10.3 Queensland10.4 Australian Capital Territory10.5 Western Australia10.6 Others 11 Market Dynamics11.1 SWOT Analysis11.1.1 Strengths11.1.2 Weaknesses11.1.3 Opportunities11.1.4 Threats11.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis11.2.1 Supplier's Power11.2.2 Buyer's Power11.2.3 Threat of New Entrants11.2.4 Degree of Rivalry11.2.5 Threat of Substitutes11.3 Key Indicators for Demand11.4 Key Indicators for Price12 Trade Data Analysis (HS Code - 21320)12.1 Major Importing Countries12.1.1 By Volume12.1.2 By Value12.2 Major Exporting Countries12.2.1 By Volume12.2.2 By Value13 Price Analysis14 Competitive Landscape14.1 Supplier Selection14.2 Key Global Players14.3 Key Regional Players14.4 Key Player Strategies14.5 Company Profiles For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Chicago Tribune
5 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Indian Prairie School District 204 to increase breakfast and lunch prices
Students and families buying breakfast or lunch at Indian Prairie School District 204 schools can expect to see a higher price tag for meals next year, after the school board recently approved the district's request to increase prices across the board by 25 cents per meal. Previously, lunch was set at $3.30 for elementary school students, $3.40 for middle school students and $3.45 for high schoolers, per the district's website. Breakfast was priced at $2.25 for all students. The district also offers free breakfast and lunch to eligible students, and reduced rates of 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch for students who qualify. Next school year, lunch will cost $3.55 for elementary school students, $3.65 for middle school students and $3.70 for high school students paying full price for meals, according to a memo from the district's Director of Support Operations Ron Johnson to the school board that was included in Monday's meeting agenda. Breakfast next school year will cost $2.50 for those paying full price. The following school year, prices will increase by another 25 cents for lunch, while breakfast prices will remain at $2.50, per the memo. The meal price increases were approved unanimously by the district's school board at the meeting on Monday evening as part of the consent agenda. According to the district's memo, the increase is required for compliance with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, passed by Congress in 2010. The district says that legislation requires that they ensure there are sufficient funds provided to the nonprofit school food service account to serve lunches for students who are not eligible for free or reduced price meals. Reimbursements for free and reduced price meals cannot subsidize the cost of paid lunches, the district noted. The 'true cost' of providing lunch to district students, a memo from Johnson to the board states, is actually $6.14, but the cost to break even is around $5.36 when factoring in the revenue generated by paid student meals and a la carte items as well as federal reimbursements from the United States Department of Agriculture. According to Johnson's memo, the district is currently paying its food service provider, OrganicLife, about $4.41 per lunch served and about $2.31 for breakfast.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
China's maritime lead a security threat, say ‘Zero Point Four' authors
A significant decline in the number of U.S.-flagged vessels and the collapse of domestic shipbuilding have created vulnerabilities in national security, say two of the co-authors of 'Zero Point Four: How U.S. Leadership in Maritime Will Secure America's Future.' James Watson and Carleen Lyden Walker said the U.S. maritime industry is at a critical moment. U.S.-flagged ships have declined to a 0.4% (200 ships) of the estimated 55,000 oceangoing vessels serving the global supply chain. 'We have lost our [maritime] leadership as a nation and we can recapture that if we decide to recognize the incredible impact of maritime security on national security, economic, energy, and food, climate and workforce,' Walker told FreightWaves in an interview. Watson and Walker said the U.S. has become so dependent on foreign-manufactured ships that it has created vulnerability in supply chains and risks shortages in military maritime than 90% of the world's goods and energy travel by ship, and most people don't understand the U.S. dependency on the maritime industry, the authors said. 'The big part of why we wrote the book … is all the opportunities that actually do exist for investments by Americans into American ships, but also industries that involve the oceans, that involve what we call the fourth industrial revolution, the use of AI, the use of the developments in science and technology that ought to be opportunities for America to basically leapfrog China,' Watson said. Watson is a retired Rear Adm. in the U.S. Coast Guard and is currently an independent consultant providing business development services to maritime clients. Walker is co-founder and managing partner of the Maritime Accelerator for Resilience and co-founder and CEO of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association.'Zero Point Four' was published in March 2024. In addition to Watson and Walker, the book was co-authored by global supply chain specialist Jonathan Kempe; technology and sustainability economist Nishan Degnarain; enterprise resilience veteran Rich Mason; and Anuj Chopra, managing director of the MaritimESG Middle East Project Management LLC. While the trade war between China and the United States appears to be cooling off in recent weeks, the nation's push to revitalize the nation's shipbuilding industry is gaining momentum. In February, the White House proposed port fees for China-built, -owned and -operated ships docking at American ports. The fees aim to minimize China's maritime dominance and help kick-start U.S. shipbuilding. The initial proposal called for vessels operated by Chinese companies to pay a $1 million port call fees and ships built in China would have to pay a $1.5 million fee per port call. The proposal now calls for fees based on net tonnage and number of containers carried. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative also recently announced exemptions from the fees for ships carrying liquified natural gas. The USTR is accepting comments through July 7 from the maritime community on the impact of port fees associated with Chinese ships. New fees proposed by the USTR are set to take effect on Oct. 14. President Donald Trump also signed an executive order on April 9 that aims to boost the U.S. international maritime presence, which has been in decline for decades. On April 20, a bipartisan bill — the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2025 (the SHIPS Act) — was introduced in Congress with the aim of expanding the U.S.-flag international fleet by 250 ships in 10 years, while enhancing U.S. competitiveness and making more investments in the maritime workforce.A predecessor bill, the SHIPS for America Act of 2024, garnered bipartisan support last year during the Biden administration. Walker said placing fees on Chinese-built ships might ultimately hurt American consumers instead of creating more domestic ship production in the U.S. 'Passing the cost of our deficiency on to the consumer, which is what will happen with these taxes, if you will, on Chinese-built ships, I don't know how viable that is,' Walker said. 'It's like tariffs: The ultimate payor is going to be the American consumer.' Walker said a more viable proposal could be a tariff hike on U.S.-flagged ships doing repair work in shipyards in China. The tariff could be an impetus for U.S. ships to be repaired in domestic shipyards. U.S. officials floated the idea of imposing a 200% duty for work carried out on many U.S.-flag ships at yards in 'countries of concern,' according to the SHIPS Act. 'I think that one of the possibilities is restricting U.S.-flagged Jones Act ships from doing ship repair in China, which they do, and that could be a first step,' Walker said. Of 80,000 U.S. port calls each year, only a very small percentage are currently by U.S.-registered ships. '[The U.S.] intentionally walked away from its shipbuilding capability in the 1980s … and to blame China for recognizing an opportunity and capitalizing on it, I think is the wrong cast,' Walker said. 'I would rather see us say, 'Well, look, China in the early 1990s is when they decided to become a shipbuilding nation.' In the last 35 years, they have become the dominant shipbuilding nation with about 60% of the order book. How they got there also needs to be recognized.' Watson said for various reasons — including cost and efficiency — many companies in the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s decided to outsource shipbuilding to countries such as Japan and South Korea initially. 'I think what happened was they just said, 'Well, we can just sacrifice that industry and we can buy ships from Korea and Japan, because they're building fine ships over there, and use our open registries to help the world globalize even more and focus on military shipbuilding,' Watson said. 'Then the Cold War ended and we looked around and took our peace dividend, balanced the budget again, and realized we didn't have a commercial shipbuilding industry anymore. So we just stuck … with the plan to buy ships from Japan and Korea, and then I think China saw the opportunity.' Walker and Watson said maritime security not only impacts national security, it impacts energy security, environmental security, economic security and workforce development. 'We think we can lead the world, but we probably shouldn't basically give away our designs and our technology to the cheapest place in the world to build,' Watson said. 'I guess just going to my position on the USTR thing … some of the things that they're doing probably have a time and a place and maybe now is the time and the place to do it.' Watson said it's critical that the government produce programs to restore the maritime industry in the U.S. 'You've got to have a program that creates investment here,' Watson said. 'If you look at the CHIPS Act, for example, where you actually have an act of Congress instead of effectively an executive decision of an agency, then you can put in some provisions that are bankable. You can have companies invest in a legislative initiative with a lot more security that it won't flip in four years compared to an executive mandate, like a tariff or a penalty on Chinese shipping.' The ultimate goal the U.S. government should be looking for is bringing in more mariners and reinvigorating the country's industrial shipbuilding complex, Watson and Walker said. 'It's the ships that come first,' Watson said. 'Then that causes an interest in terminals and shipyards and everything else. So there's been a lot of talk about … 'We've got to be more involved in the Panama Canal, we've got to stop [China's] Belt and Road Initiative.' If we just had a robust marine industry, a ship-operating industry, if we had merchant mariners, if we had the lead on marine technology, we would naturally want to own the terminals and the ships and have stakeholdings in great shipyards to service our ships.' The post China's maritime lead a security threat, say 'Zero Point Four' authors appeared first on FreightWaves.
