Farmers and food assistance organizations in Wisconsin are appealing to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reinstate local food programs that have been terminated. The USDA has decided to end the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools (LFS) programs, which have significantly supported local farms and communities. These programs provided essential funding for purchasing produce and other goods from local farms, aiding both farmers and those in need. Ending these initiatives poses challenges for nearly 300 Wisconsin farms and disrupts the established infrastructure supporting schools and food pantries.
The removal of these programs affects not only individual farmers but also the broader local food system. Farmers who have already invested in supplies for 2025 face operational disruptions. Additionally, the absence of LFPA and LFS funding will hinder the development of a dependable local food distribution network, impacting the ability of farmers to reach markets effectively. Advocates argue that reinstating these programs is crucial for sustaining local economies and providing healthy, locally-sourced food to communities.
Impact on Local Farms and Food Systems
The termination of the LFPA program by the USDA has created significant concerns among Wisconsin's agricultural community. Nearly 300 farms within the state benefited from this initiative, contributing $4.2 million worth of food to over 250 food pantries. This program facilitated a reliable wholesale market for farmers, allowing them to expand their businesses sustainably. However, with the sudden withdrawal of support, farmers find themselves at a disadvantage, having already committed resources toward anticipated demand for 2025.
According to Darin Von Ruden, president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, cutting this funding disrupts farming operations and weakens the entire local food ecosystem. Farmers invested heavily in seeds, inputs, and infrastructure based on plans for continued implementation. Lori Stern, executive director of Marbleseed, emphasizes the positive impact these programs had on small farms feeding their communities with healthy, local produce. She highlights how farmers gained access to stable markets through LFPA, fostering growth opportunities. The loss of such programs jeopardizes the progress made in establishing robust farmer-to-market infrastructures, as noted by Tara Turner-Roberts, general manager of the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative. Without LFPA and LFS funding, rebuilding an effective local food distribution system could take years.
Challenges for Food Banks and Schools
Beyond affecting farmers, the discontinuation of the LFPA and LFS programs creates complications for food banks and schools reliant on these services. Feeding Wisconsin, a statewide association managing food distribution across all counties, expresses concern about eliminating the LFPA program amidst rising demands for food bank services. Executive Director Jackie Anderson notes the difficulty posed by limited resources within the charitable food network and among local food producers. Food banks distributed over 155,000 pounds of Wisconsin-grown products purchased using LFPA funds, underscoring its importance in meeting community needs.
The LFS program, funded federally yet administered locally by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, enabled schools to procure food directly from farmers. With this support ending, schools face potential disruptions in obtaining fresh, locally-sourced meals for students. Advocates argue that restoring these programs aligns with efforts to strengthen local economies while ensuring access to nutritious food for vulnerable populations. They stress that the USDA's decision to discontinue these pandemic-era initiatives overlooks their ongoing relevance and value to communities still grappling with economic and health challenges. Reinstating LFPA and LFS would help maintain vital connections between farmers, schools, and food banks, preserving the integrity of Wisconsin's local food systems.