Hands Off: Speaking Out in Support of Local Food

The thriving national movement to provide locally-sourced, nutrient-dense food to children has taken a terrible hit due to federal government cuts issued this past month.  In March, the USDA cancelled over $1 billion, $670 million dollars supporting local food, farmers and childhood nutrition. 

Speaking at the Hands-Off! Rally on the Brattleboro Commons on April 5th, Food Connects Interim Director Lee Halpern described the impact: 

“That’s $1 billion in funding to help food banks and food hubs distribute local foods to low income consumers through the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement; $660 million to ensure local foods are in school cafeterias through Local Food for Schools and Child Care; and, $10 million to connect kids to local foods and farms through the Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant.” 

All three programs were cancelled. 

To understand the state and local impact of these cuts, cancelling Local Food for Schools and Child Care eliminated $1.2 million in federal grant funding destined to purchase local foods for Vermont schools. Fourteen schools in Windham County used this grant in the 2023-24 school year to bolster school meal programs, support local farmers, and stimulate Vermont’s rural economy.

A 2016 UVM study at the Center for Rural Studies demonstrated that for every dollar spent on local foods, $1.60 goes back into Vermont’s economy. As Halpern summarized, “Now that’s a pretty efficient return. If these cuts were really about efficiency, DOGE got their math wrong.” 

Food Connects has joined its voice with the state and national movement to fight for these programs that prioritize children’s health, build resilience in local agriculture, and strengthen the regional economy. 

For more information and to contribute your voice as well, see the March 25th The Commons article and calls to action from the National Farm to School Network. 

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Written by Kris Nelson