SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Friday, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) officials announced the termination of $1 billion in local food purchasing agreements, which included critical funding for school food programs, childcare institutions, and food banks in Minnesota. Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development Chair Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud) and Senator Heather Gustafson (DFL-Vadnais Heights), chief author of the Farm to School legislation expressed outrage over the USDA’s decision.
Minnesota was set to receive significant support to address our growing food insecurity crisis, including:
- $9,226,348 for school food purchasing
- $4,045,518 for child care institution food purchasing
- $4,732,009 through the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program
“This decision is a direct attack on Minnesota farmers, our local food shelves, and the people who depend on both” said Senator Putnam, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “Farmers have trusted these programs, depended on them to get the food they grow to the increasing number of hungry people who need it. The USDA’s decision to undermine this relationship between farmers and food shelves is irresponsible. We all should speak out against this attack on farmers and food shelves, and I call on the Trump administration to reverse this decision and reinstate a responsible policy that helps Minnesota’s farmers feed the hungry.”
“The Farm to School program has helped our students receive fresh and nutritious locally sourced food while providing additional revenue streams for our farmers, a win-win for Minnesota,” said Senator Heather Gustafson, chief author of Farm to School legislation in Minnesota. “Demand for Farm to School funds has always exceeded what we can afford, while the overall impact on the federal budget is very small. Cutting this funding is not cutting waste, it’s only hurting our food supply. Continuing this program in Minnesota requires President Trump to reverse his decision and instead support our farmers and students.”
With food shelf visits at an all-time high and more families in need, the loss of this funding is catastrophic. Schools and food banks will now have fewer resources to provide fresh, nutritious food to children and families.
###
Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee. He serves on the Jobs and Economic Development Committee and Taxes Committee.
Learn more about Sen. Putnam.
Read more news from Sen. Putnam.
Learn more about Sen. Gustafson.
