Enid, OK — Oklahoma farmers, schools, and food banks are bracing for a major setback as federal funding that supported local agriculture has been slashed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it would cut two vital programs — the Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFP) programs — which together provided over $1 billion annually to help schools and food banks purchase food directly from local farms and ranches.
The USDA confirmed that the funds previously allocated for the Fiscal Year 2025 under these pandemic-era programs will no longer be available. A statement from the USDA indicated that the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement (LFSCC) and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA25) will be terminated, following a 60-day notice period. The decision has left many in Oklahoma’s agricultural sector reeling.
Local Farmers and Food Hubs Hit Hard
One of the hardest-hit groups includes local farmers and food hubs, which have long depended on federal support to connect with schools and food banks. Chris Bernard, CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma, warned that Oklahoma could lose as much as $30 million in funding due to these cuts.
“The hardest hit area is your local growers and food hubs that consolidate products for schools and food banks,” Bernard said. “Without this funding, local food systems will face significant disruption.”
Christina Farris, a farmer from Fort Cobb and owner of CF2 Cattle Company, expressed her disbelief at the decision. “The first thing we thought was they just want to get rid of all the small farmers and just have mega farms,” said Farris. “That’s not what we voted for. We voted for local food systems, and now it’s all being taken away.”
Jenna Moore, from the OKC Food Hub, echoed Farris’ concerns. She explained that the loss of federal funds would leave farmers without the financial investment they were promised to deliver food to communities and schools. “Farmers will no longer have that promised investment to support their farms and provide for local children and food banks,” Moore said.
State Response: A Mixed Outlook
While the federal cuts are significant, Oklahoma has a state-level program designed to help bridge the gap. The Oklahoma state legislature has allocated $3.2 million for the Local Food for School Program, which will continue to support the distribution of local food to schools. However, for many in the agricultural community, this amount is a far cry from the $30 million in federal funding that is now in jeopardy.
“The state is fortunate to have some local support,” Farris acknowledged, “but making up those federal dollars is going to be a huge challenge.”
Despite these challenges, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) remains optimistic. In a statement, ODAFF pledged to continue collaborating with stakeholders and partners to explore new opportunities for local farmers and consumers. The department also emphasized the growing demand for locally sourced food, highlighting the importance of maintaining markets for Oklahoma’s agricultural products.
A Call for Federal Action
As local farmers and food hubs adjust to these changes, many are calling on the federal government to reconsider its decision and provide more support for small-scale farming operations. “It’s just such a blessing to live in a state that’s supportive of agriculture,” said Farris. “But our federal government needs to get it together.”
The USDA’s move to terminate these pandemic-era programs has raised questions about the future of local food systems across the country. With funding for local agriculture in jeopardy, many worry that smaller, community-based food networks may struggle to survive in the face of increasing financial pressure.
As the 60-day notice period draws to a close, Oklahoma’s farmers, food hubs, and communities will have to navigate a difficult road ahead, hoping that state-level support and local resilience can help mitigate the impacts of the federal cuts.
