Feeding America in the Red
Trump Ceases Agricultural Aid for Supporting Food Bank Initiatives
By: Trixie Johnson for The Daily Groove
Oaks and Sprouts, ran by Tonni and Graham Oberly, a young, diverse farming duo, received a shocking email from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks one Friday night in March. The USDA was ending a program that provided federal funds to stock food pantries with produce from nearby farms. For the Oberlys, who had a contract worth up to $25,000 under the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program, the sudden news meant a significant financial blow and loss of a critical market for their produce.
The LFPA aimed to help small, diverse farms connect with food-insecure Americans. Last growing season, Oaks and Sprouts' produce found its way to food pantries in nearby Springfield and Dayton, and ultimately, to hungry Ohioans. Tonni and Graham's farm embodied the program's goals: they focused on sustainable and regenerative farming practices, paid fair wages, and aimed to make their farm a beacon of righteousness in the community.
But the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) deemed the LFPA no longer "appropriate" and decided to end the program. The move came as a shock to many small farmers, food banks, and hunger relief organizations across the nation. The Trump administration had initially created the program, but it gained traction under Biden, demonstrating a commitment to supporting local farmers and promoting healthier food choices among food-insecure populations.
However, the program faced opposition from conservatives who saw it as a wasteful, "woke" initiative that propagated ideas like equity and climate change. The Oberlys' program coordinator had warned them of its potential demise, but they continued to plan for the 2025 growing season, hoping for the best.
Independent experts analyzed the program's first year in Ohio, a Republican-led state, and concluded that it was a success. The USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins, had also signaled support for small farmers by committing to connecting them with nutrition assistance programs. But politics took a sharp turn, with some arguing that the program represented unnecessary government intervention and was not a high priority for the administration.
The sudden loss of the LFPA program leaves farmers like the Oberlys scrambling to find alternative markets for their produce. Graham and Tonni have had to pivot quickly, seeking out opportunities in farmers' markets, adding cut flowers to their offerings, and expanding their sales to restaurants. Yet, the predictability and stability provided by the LFPA program, especially for a small, beginning farm, are gone.
The impact of the LFPA's termination reaches far beyond small farms. The country's food pantries are struggling to meet surging demand as more Americans face food insecurity. The safety net designed to prevent hunger is at risk of unraveling, with cuts to food assistance programs like SNAP and changes to eligibility requirements looming.
As the USDA heads in a new direction, farmers like the Oberlys can only hope for a program that offers the same level of support for both their farms and their communities. In the meantime, they continue to strive for sustainability, fair wages, and a garden that serves as a beacon of righteousness in their community.
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Originally published by The Daily Groove,* under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.*
- Amidst the sudden termination of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program, urban planning and policy discussions have emerged, focusing on the importance of infrastructure and city designs that support local food-and-drink producers and health-and-wellness initiatives.
- The impact of politics on general-news topics, such as the LFPA program, highlights the need for a balanced approach in science and health-and-wellness policies that prioritize both nutritional needs and economic opportunities for diverse farmers.
- With food insecurity on the rise and safety nets potential unraveling, lifestyle changes within communities have become increasingly essential, as individuals, families, and organizations work together to create sustainable solutions for food-and-drink and health-and-wellness needs.
