How Food Banks, Farmers and Schools Are Faring After USDA Cuts Local Food Programs
This is a summary of a segment aired on WBUR's Here and Now on May 14, 2025. Listen to the original segment here.
The Continuing Impact of USDA Program Cuts
Two months after the U.S. Department of Agriculture terminated its local food programs, farmers, schools, and food banks across the Midwest and Great Plains are feeling the effects of lost federal support. The cuts, which eliminated over $1 billion in funding, have disrupted supply chains that connected local producers with schools and food assistance organizations.
Challenges for Food Banks and Rising Food Insecurity
Food banks are reporting higher numbers of people seeking assistance now than during the height of COVID-19. Many organizations, including Food Bank for the Heartland which serves Nebraska and western Iowa counties, are developing alternative scenarios to continue supporting their communities without federal funding. Food pantries that had been receiving fresh local produce are now struggling to maintain the same level of nutritious offerings.
Schools Adapting Meal Programs
School districts that had integrated local foods into their cafeterias are reassessing their budgets to determine whether they can continue purchasing from local producers. Some schools that had planned to expand their local food offerings to include fresh meat and other products have had to shelve these plans due to budget constraints.
The Impact on Happy Hollow Farm
At Happy Hollow Farm, the USDA's decision to end these programs has had significant consequences. Owner Liz Graznak shared that these programs had helped the farm ramp up production over the past three years, enabling investments in a walk-in cooler and new harvesting equipment.
"I was providing so much produce through these two programs that it was about a quarter of my annual sales," Liz explained in her interview with Harvest Public Media. "That's a huge loss."
The most devastating impact has been on employment at the farm. Instead of hiring nine full-time employees as planned, Liz has only been able to bring on five. "I have families that depend on me for working here, and they've been employees of mine for years, and I'm not going to be able to hire them this year," she noted.
In response to the cuts, Liz has had to make substantial changes to the farm's planting plan for the year. Like many small-scale farmers, she feels the USDA's cost-saving rationale rings hollow, especially as funding for other agricultural sectors continues to flow.
Looking Forward
While the USDA's decision has disrupted momentum in building regional food systems, many organizations remain committed to working with local producers. Some stakeholders are advocating for the reinstatement of these programs, with U.S. senators urging the USDA to reconsider the cuts.
At Happy Hollow Farm, we're adapting by exploring new markets and adjusting our production plans, but the loss of this significant revenue stream presents ongoing challenges for our operation and the local food ecosystem we're part of.
This summary was created for Happy Hollow Farm based on reporting by Rachel Cramer of Harvest Public Media, which covers food systems, agriculture, and rural issues across the Midwest.
Listen to the original broadcast "How food banks, farmers and schools are faring after USDA cuts local food programs" in its entirety on WBUR's website.