Source: United Press International
“Schools and local food banks will lose about $1.1 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the purchase of food from local farms, ranchers and producers. The agency will be marking a return to ‘long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives,’ instead of ‘short-term plans with no plan for longevity,’ the agency said in a statement. Two programs bought food from local farms and ranchers. They are $660 million for the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement Program from local farmers, ranchers and fishers to schools; and about $470 million for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which helped fill food banks with products from small farmers within 400 miles.” (03/13/25)