USDA Slashes $1B for Schools and Food Banks Betraying Our Values and Hurting Children, Low-Income Communities, and Farmers

Yesterday, the USDA announced more than $ 1 billion in cuts to programs that enable schools and food banks to purchase local food. Jenique Jones, executive director of WhyHunger – a non-profit working to end world hunger and the injustices that cause it – issued the following statement:

“The recent decision by the USDA to cancel $1 billion in local food purchasing for schools and food banks is a devastating blow to our efforts to combat hunger and nourish our nation's children. WhyHunger believes that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. As someone who has worked both in schools and at a food bank, I know first-hand that this shortsighted action undermines that principle and will have far-reaching negative consequences.

School meals are a lifeline for millions of children, providing essential nutrition that supports their health, development, and ability to learn. These cuts will disproportionately impact low-income students who rely on school meals as their primary source of sustenance and their families who benefit from fresh foods sourced by their local food banks. By reducing the availability of local foods, the USDA is also hindering efforts to support regional farmers and food systems and promote healthier, fresher options in school cafeterias.

Furthermore, these cuts come at a time when food insecurity remains a significant challenge for many families. Food banks, already stretched thin, will face increased pressure to fill the gap left by reduced school food programs. This decision demonstrates a lack of understanding of the interconnectedness of our food systems and the critical role that school meals play in addressing hunger.

WhyHunger calls on the USDA to reverse this harmful decision and prioritize the well-being of our children, low-income communities and farmers. We urge policymakers to invest in and strengthen school meal programs, ensuring that all children have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive, and to strengthen the bridge between food banks and local food producers. We must work together to build a food system that nourishes everyone and upholds the values of justice and equity.”

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About WhyHunger

Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger funds and supports community solutions to protect the human right to food. In nearly five decades of innovation and evolution, our programs and our grassroots partners in 24 countries have expanded agricultural practices that are better for the planet, helped communities address the root causes of hunger, and ensured access to nutritious food for millions of people. As a grassroots support organization, we stand behind the leadership of the people most impacted by hunger and injustice. We prioritize providing resources to support the rights of communities who have been historically excluded from defining and controlling their food systems. We advocate for workers’ rights and champion agroecological food production that unites science and sustainability with Indigenous knowledge and wisdom. Together we can build socially and economically just food systems that nourish all people and the environment. Learn more at whyhunger.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.