Update on 3/19/2025: National Farm to School Network has compiled a tracker of media coverage on the Local Food for Schools and Child Care termination. View the tracker here to see ongoing news coverage on this issue.

The United States of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service has officially terminated the second round of the Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) program as well as its sibling Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program. LFSCC was set to provide state agencies with $660 million for schools and child care sites to purchase local food over the next three years. National Farm to School Network aims to shed light on the disastrous impact this decision will have for each state's farmers and ranchers, and the child nutrition programs working every day to nourish kids. This is a devastating loss for our community and farmers across the US. Right now we need every voice to speak out to push back against this decision.

Take Action Today

1. Contact Your Elected and Local Officials: 

  • Visit NFSN’s Action Alert here to easily contact your federal legislators to raise the alarm (including talking points to easily craft your message!)
  • Raise your concerns to state officials, particularly your state Departments of Agriculture and Agriculture Commissioners, to urge them to fight for these programs. Not sure who to contact? Reach out to the NFSN Policy Team for help (Karen@farmtoschool.org).‍

2. Share Your Story:
Use our Impact Form to let us know how this will affect your community. If you can speak on record to the press about these impacts, we are eager to connect with you as well.‍

3. Spread the Word:
The effects of this program cut will be felt by farmers and ranchers, food hubs and distributors, schools and child care providers, and families. We want to help amplify stories, particularly from producers, that can illustrate this for policymakers and the press. Please share this information with your networks to help inform and mobilize.

What is LFSCC?

First Round: In December 2021, AMS launched the Local Food for Schools (LFS) program as part of a suite of federal COVID-19 relief programs to help states address supply chain disruptions and boost local and regional food systems. The first round of LFS provided $200 million in Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) in non-competitive funding to state agencies through cooperative agreements. 42 states and the District of Columbia benefitted from this round. The funding was solely for purchases of local, unprocessed or minimally processed foods from farmers, ranchers, and small businesses, for distribution to schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. While states had flexibility in program design, LFS funds could not be spent on administration costs. 

Second Round: In October 2024, the USDA announced it would provide $660M for a second round of funding for the LFS program. The new round of funding mirrored the first but expanded the program to childcare. Now called LFSCC, this program would have allocated $472M to K-12 schools and $189M to childcare sites participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The first round targeted small businesses and “socially disadvantaged” producers, and this round prioritized “Historically Underserved” producers, farmers, fishers, and small businesses, which includes beginning, veteran, and limited resource farmers and ranchers. The program opened on December 10, 2024, and many states had already signed new agreements.

How Has My State/Territory Been Impacted?

LFSCC Round 2 for states ranges from $1-75 million. You can learn more about the original projects, how much funding your area received for Round 1 (R1), and was set to receive in Round 2 (R2) on our Program Matrix.

Why Was this Program Terminated – Is this Legal?

Round one agreements that were already in place are not affected. This funding was through the Commodity Credit Corporation which can be used at the discretion of USDA Secretary Rollins. It is within USDA’s rights to terminate agreements if they provide state agencies a contractually-obligated 60 days notice. The letter sent to state agencies stated that “AMS has determined this agreement no longer effectuates agency priorities and that termination of the award is appropriate.” 

Why Do We Need This Program?

LFSCC is a common-sense program that delivers real economic and community benefits while improving child nutrition. Here’s why we can’t afford to lose it:

  • Smart, Targeted Investment in Local Economies
    LFSCC directed food dollars straight to farmers, ranchers, and food businesses. This has already changed lives by forging new connections between local buyers and producers and strengthening rural economies.
  • Ensures High-Quality Food for Kids
    Funding for this program can only be used for fresh and minimally processed foods. If we want to “Make America Healthy Again,” this program is a shining example of serving kids locally grown, high quality, dye-free, scratch cooked meals while supporting American farmers.
  • Empowered Local-Decision-Making
    Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, LFSCC allowed states to design their own strategies for getting local food on the lunch tray, ensuring solutions that fit their unique needs.
  • Transparent and Accountable Spending
    Federal law requires strict financial oversight entities receiving over $750,000 annually in federal funds. LFSCC funding was subject to audits that reviewed operations, internal controls, and financial accountability, ensuring taxpayer dollars were spent efficiently, effectively, and only on local food spent in schools.

One of the most commonly reported challenges by schools is food cost. Without this program, schools will struggle to afford local food among rising food costs, and small farmers will lose a critical market. The loss of LFSCC threatens the progress we've made in strengthening local food systems, supporting small farmers, and ensuring kids have access to fresh, healthy meals—now is the time to speak up and demand a better solution.