USDA ends program that brought locally grown food to Maine school cafeterias

PORTLAND, Maine (WMTW) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that its Local Food for Schools (LFS) program is ending. The initiative, started in 2023, financially supported schools buying food from local farms.

The USDA awarded up to $200 million to states for the purchase of domestic local foods for distribution to their schools.

Maine’s Department of Education estimates that through January 2025, the state spent a little more than $740,000 through the LFS program.

In a statement sent to our media partner, WMTW, a USDA spokesperson explained the department remains focused on ensuring nutritious food is accessible and supporting agriculture.

They wrote, “Unlike the Biden Administration, which funneled billions in CCC funds into short-term programs with no plan for longevity, USDA is prioritizing stable, proven solutions that deliver lasting impact. The COVID era is over—USDA’s approach to nutrition programs will reflect that reality moving forward.”

Despite the loss, local schools and nonprofits seemingly agree that serving farm fresh food will remain a priority.

“No matter what’s happening at the federal level, this is our focus,” said Justin Strasburger, the executive director of the nonprofit Full Plates Full Potential. “We have too many fishermen in the state, too many farmers in the state, and it makes too much sense for the state to move backward on this.”

Westbrook’s school nutrition director, Mary Emerson, agrees.

“I think the relationship I’ve already established with our farmers I will maintain, but without the funding, there’s not as much of an incentive to grow in that area,” she said.

Schools in Maine will still be able to support local agriculture through the Department of Education’s local food fund.

The USDA also phased out its food purchase assistance cooperative agreement program.

Copyright 2025 WABI. All rights reserved.