(NewsNation) — Advocates for school lunch accessibility have sounded the alarm as the U.S. Department of Agriculture moves to cut two programs worth more than $1 billion that pump money into local farm economies.
The School Nutrition Association this week urged Congress not to allow $660 million in cuts to an Agriculture Department program that provides funds for schools and child care centers to purchase food from local farms and ranchers. A similar program for food banks and other organizations, worth roughly $500 million, is also being axed.
“Congress needs to invest in underfunded school meal programs rather than cut services critical to student achievement and health,” SNA President Shannon Gleave said in a prepared statement. “These proposals would cause millions of children to lose access to free school meals at a time when working families are struggling with rising food costs.”
A USDA spokesperson confirmed the programs are being terminated because they “no longer effectuate the goals of the agency.”
In Maine, the money allowed the coastal RSU 23 school district to buy food directly from fishermen, dairy producers and farmers for school meals, said Caroline Trinder, the district’s food and nutrition services director.
“I think everyone can say that they want kids at school to receive the healthiest meals possible,” Trinder told The Associated Press. “It’s the least processed, and we’re helping our local economy, we’re helping farmers that may be the parents of our students.”
The cuts come as the Trump administration is slashing federal spending and reducing the size and scope of government over legal challenges.
Meantime, proposals in Washington would raise income thresholds for school lunch programs or create bureaucratic screening procedures, the SNA said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.