12-03-2025
‘Not what we voted for': Programs funneling farmers' food to schools, food banks cut
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Federal funds impacting Oklahoma farmers, schools and food banks are on the chopping block.
The U.S. Agriculture Department has cut two federal programs that spent over $1 billion annually to help schools and food banks buy food from local farms and ranches.
USDA can confirm it has provided notice to States, Territories and Tribes that the FY 2025 funding previously announced for the pandemic-era Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement (LFSCC) and pandemic-era Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program (LFPA25) is no longer available and those agreements will be terminated following 60-day notification. These programs, created under the former Administration via Executive authority, no longer effectuate the goals of the agency. LFPA and LFPA Plus agreements that were in place prior to LFPA 25, which still have substantial financial resources remaining, will continue to be in effect for the remainder of the period of performance. AMS will resume processing claims for payment for LFPA and LFPA Plus for activities accruing prior to and after January 20, 2025.
USDA Spokesperson
Hunger Free Oklahoma expects Oklahoma to lose up to $30 million in funding.
'Really the hardest hit area is your local growers and food hubs that help sort of consolidate the products into one place that the schools and food banks can buy from,' said Chris Bernard, CEO and president, Hunger Free Oklahoma.
Christina Farris, a farmer in Fort Cobb, says she is blown away by the decision.
'The first thing we thought was they just want to get rid of all the small farmers and just have mega farms because that's not what we voted for,' said Christina Farris, owner of CF2 Cattle Company and Cowgirl Beef.
The OKC Food Hub, which works directly with the farmers, schools and food bank also weighed in on the impacts.
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'Farmers will not have an investment in their farms to get food to communities and schoolchildren like starting in June, they would have had like, you know, X amount of dollars promised to their farm, now they don't,' said Jenna Moore, OKC Food Hub.
Oklahoma is luckier than other areas, the state has a similar program that's not going away.
'We still get to provide food for our kids and to share our knowledge and to reach out into those communities and start those conversations on maybe they want to be a small pork farmer, maybe they want to grow some tomatoes,' said Farris.
The state legislature has allocated $3.2 million for the Local Food for School Program, but making up those federal dollars, close to $30 million may be impossible.
'It's just such a blessing to live in a state that supportive of AG, I guess our federal government needs to get it together,' said Farris.
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry sent News 4 the following statement.
As we learn about changes to federal programs, ODAFF will continue to work with stakeholders and partners at all levels to explore opportunities that benefit both local producers and Oklahoma consumers. Interest in local foods is at an all-time high, and it is a priority for our agency to further market opportunities for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers and access to those options for all Oklahomans.
ODAFF
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma also sent a statement.
We are deeply disappointed by the recent decision to cancel the USDA's Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program (LFPA). This funding has enabled us to purchase and distribute fresh, nutritious food to the communities we serve. The loss of this program will significantly impact our ability to meet the increasing demand for food assistance, especially as more families face food insecurity. We urge lawmakers and stakeholders to reconsider this decision and support critical programs that ensure no one goes hungry.
Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Officials encourage you to reach out to your elected officials in D.C. about the cuts.
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