Small and Midsize Farmers Face Uncertainty as Federal Food Assistance Programs Are Terminated
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the termination of two pandemic-era food assistance programs—the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools (LFS) initiatives—sparking concerns over food security and financial stability for farmers in Wisconsin and across the U.S..
The programs, which provided over $1 billion in funding to farmers in 40 states, supplied fresh food to food banks, pantries, and schools, helping combat food insecurity during the pandemic. However, the USDA’s recent decision to cut 2025 funding has left farmers scrambling for new markets and raised fears of disrupted local food infrastructure.
USDA’s Justification: A Shift to Long-Term Fiscal Planning
The USDA justified the funding cuts as part of its transition away from temporary pandemic-era relief programs.
- According to a USDA spokesperson, the agency intends to focus on “long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives” rather than extending emergency measures.
- Despite the cuts, the USDA claims it has released over half a billion dollars in previously committed funds to honor existing contracts and support current local food purchases.
However, farmers and local food advocates argue that the sudden halt in funding will destabilize local agricultural networks and limit access to fresh, locally sourced food for underserved communities.
Impact on Wisconsin Farmers
The funding cuts have hit Wisconsin farmers particularly hard.
- In 2024, 300 farmers participated in the Wisconsin LFPA program, delivering $4.2 million worth of food to 254 pantries.
- Many farmers had taken out loans and invested in equipment, expecting the program’s continuation.
- Without federal support, small and midsize farmers now face financial instability, while local food banks and schools struggle to source fresh produce.
Tara Roberts-Turner, general manager of the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative (WFHC), which represents over 400 farmers, warned that the cuts could jeopardize the survival of smaller agricultural businesses.
“The folks that formed the Food Hub and are participating in these programs are very tough, but at the same time, this is just a huge blow,” Roberts-Turner told CNN.
Farmers Scrambling for New Markets
Without LFPA and LFS contracts, Wisconsin farmers are being forced to seek alternative buyers.
- Tracy Vinz, a 50-year-old farmer from Wisconsin, sold produce through the LFPA program to food banks, including the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry.
- She described how the program brought fresh, nutritious food to food-insecure families.
- With the program’s termination, Vinz is now searching for new buyers, such as caterers and restaurants.
Despite the loss of federal support, Vinz remains committed to finding new markets to keep her farm afloat.
“We’re short on staff, and it’s hard to take time away to find new customers,” she said. “But we have to—to save our farm.”
Threat to Rural Food Infrastructure
The funding cuts are also threatening local food transportation networks, particularly in rural Wisconsin.
- Food hubs like WFHC used LFPA grants to invest in transportation infrastructure, including refrigerated trucks and route mapping systems, to efficiently deliver food to remote areas.
- During the pandemic, the program helped fill the gap in food distribution when major suppliers, such as Sysco and Reinhart, reduced deliveries to rural regions.
- Without USDA support, rural food hubs will struggle to maintain cost-effective transportation networks, further limiting access to fresh food for underserved communities.
Economic Consequences for Farmers
The loss of LFPA and LFS funding is expected to have significant financial repercussions for small and midsize farmers.
- Dawn Thilmany, an agricultural economist at Colorado State University, warned that farmers who relied on the programs will be forced to sell into lower-paying national markets, reducing their profits.
- Without federal support, many local farms may face closures or be forced to scale back operations.
- Thilmany also noted that food hubs, which had begun expanding their infrastructure with federal grants, will stall or collapse without continued funding.
Political Backlash and Calls for Action
The USDA’s decision has sparked political backlash in Wisconsin.
- Governor Tony Evers condemned the funding cuts, accusing the federal government of abandoning local farmers.
- In a public statement, Evers pledged to fight for the restoration of funding, stating:
“Here in America’s Dairyland, we stand up for our farmers, farm families, and producers. We’re going to fight to make damn sure our farmers have the resources and support Wisconsin promised.”
- On Monday, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, along with 30 Senate colleagues, sent a letter urging the USDA to reverse its decision, highlighting the funding’s critical role in supporting local farmers.
- Baldwin noted that over half of the farmers participating in the LFPA program were new to federal contracts, underscoring the importance of ongoing support.
Long-Term Implications for Food Security
The USDA’s decision to end pandemic-era food programs could have long-term consequences on food security and agricultural sustainability.
- Food insecurity rates in Wisconsin remain high, with over 600,000 people—including 200,000 children—struggling with access to food, according to Feeding America.
- The termination of LFPA and LFS could worsen food insecurity by reducing the availability of fresh, locally sourced produce at food banks and schools.
- Food hubs and local farmers, once bolstered by the programs, now face uncertain futures.
Conclusion: A Blow to Local Farmers and Food Security
The USDA’s decision to terminate LFPA and LFS funding marks a significant setback for local farmers, food hubs, and food-insecure families in Wisconsin and beyond.
- Without federal support, small and midsize farmers will struggle to stay afloat, while food banks and schools will face reduced access to fresh, healthy produce.
- As political pressure mounts, it remains to be seen whether the USDA will reverse its decision or introduce new initiatives to support local food systems.
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