USDA makes cuts to program that provides Maine schools, food banks with fresh local food

SOUTH PORTLAND (WGME) – The United States Department of Agriculture is making cuts to a program that provides schools and food banks with fresh food from local farms.

The USDA cut the $660 million Local Food for Schools Program for this year. Schools, food banks and farmers are worried about the impact losing these funds might have.

For local food banks, losing these funds means the cost for feeding a family will skyrocket.

South Portland Food Cupboard Executive Director Dwayne Hopkins says right now, his South Portland food bank is doing a lot for a little.

“Right now, we can feed an entire family of four for $20,” Hopkins said. “It is an extremely low amount of money for us. If we lose this food, it will take our costs way significantly higher.”

Other farmers say they’ll have to find ways to fill these gaps in funding.

They say help will have to come from other resources in the state.

“There is going to be a lot of pressure on foundations here in Maine in order to start filling those gaps,” Jordan Farms Co-owner Penny Jordan said.

Some children rely on these lunches at school for food.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says these funds can improve the quality of these meals.

“It is just more expensive to buy fruits and vegetables, but if you can buy them locally, and you have this federal assistance, it can really improve the quality of these meals,” Pingree said.

“We believe that feeding children healthy and delicious and local food is a core principle of making America great again,” Windham and Raymond Schools Director of Nutrition Jeanne Reilly said.

This program had been active in 40 states.

While these funds are cut for 2025, it’s unclear if the Trump administration will consider restoring this program in the future.