REAP Food Group calls the termination of Local Food For Schools and Child Care program a “major blow” to Wisconsin.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is cutting two programs that provided about $1 billion in funding to schools and food banks to buy directly from local farms. That includes about $660 million this year for the Local Food for Schools program.
Allison Pfaff Harris, Farm to School Director for REAP Food Group in Madison, says the termination is effective May 6.
“The termination of the Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) program is a major blow to not only schools and farms around Wisconsin, but schools and farms throughout the country,” she says. “Throughout my career, folks have asked me ‘How do we move local foods into schools?’. To me, it’s never been an issue of abundance or lack of interest by schools and farmers but a funding issue.”
Pfaff Harris explains that school nutrition programs operate on razor-thin budgets.
“High-quality, local products typically come with a higher price tag because local farmers are taking care of their employees, the land, and their products,” she says. “They are supporting and building strong economies within their communities and state.”
When national food supply chains broke during the pandemic, Local Food for Schools funding was directed to support schools in purchasing from local farms. The $3.4 million made available to Wisconsin schools and farms through LFS had a statewide reach. The economic impact reached up to $2.40 for every dollar spent, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
“Wisconsin was set to receive $9 million through the Local Food for Schools and Child Care program,” Pfaff Harris said. “Now with it gone, I’m not sure what the future holds for schools and local foods grown by Wisconsin farmers.”
