FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) — Since launching in 2021, 7,900 food banks, food pantries, and communities in the U.S. have purchased food through two programs available through the USDA, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, and Local Food for Schools. But now those programs are being canceled.
“We have received about a million dollars through that program over the last year and we use that money to purchase food from local small growers to feed children, families, and seniors who are food insecure. In calendar 2024 we were able to serve 152,000 people across the state of North Dakota,” said Kate Molbert, Chief Operating Officer at Great Plains Food Bank.
The Great Plains Food Bank has been a participant in the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program since 2022. Providing fresh local fruits and vegetables from over 30 farmers and cooperatives across the state.
“There is a lot of uncertainty. We’re not sure what the future of any USDA funding would look like. We do rely on donations both food donations, a lot of growers support us through dropping off excess crop, as well as financial donations,” said Molbert.
While the Great Plains Food Bank had received a round of funding and purchased produce earlier in the year, the concern lies with the impact on farmers for the rest of the year.
“We’ve heard stories of producers being able to buy new equipment to grow their operations or reach new levels of sustainability for their farms or their ranches. Really the grant was working as intended,” said Molbert.
Great Plains Food Bank says they will be working with local farmers to continue to bring in fresh produce for the coming days.
USDA. canceled about $660 million in funding for the Local Food for Schools program and $420 million for the Local Food Purchase program.
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