On Monday, Rep. Jim Costa hosted a virtual press conference with local community leaders to address cuts to several federal food assistance programs. Screen shot via Rep. Costa social media.

Last week, fears that funding cuts that could impact local schools, food banks and farmers became reality as the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced approximately $1 billion in cuts last week.

Several federal assistance programs were led to the chopping block as part of President Donald Trump’s administration’s efforts to slash federal spending.

The $1 billion cuts were made to the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), both of which provided schools and organizations funding to purchase healthy, unprocessed foods from local farmers.

In February, the Trump Administration ordered a federal spending freeze that had the potential to impact several local nonprofit organizations.

In California, there are 533 small farmers who produce food for 55 food banks and other partners. Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) — which received nearly $500,000 in LFS funding from the federal government to buy from local producers to use in school meals — was one of several organizations that, through LFS funding, supported local farmers.

“What makes more sense in the breadbasket of America here [than] to be able to demonstrate the importance of what our growers, especially our small growers,” said 21st Congressional District Representative Jim Costa during a virtual press conference Monday. “What we should be doing is expanding our efforts.”

Last month, the Trump Administration ordered a federal funding freeze that raised concern among several local organizations. While that order was halted by U.S. Judge Loren AliKhan, the White House has continued to follow through on its commitment to reviewing federal funding.

Several local nonprofit leaders anticipated February’s funding freeze acted as a precursor to the potential cuts that would ensue, revealing concern about the freezes that potentially fall in line with the Trump Administration’s executive order to end “radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing.”

“Last year, with the support of over 240 member partners, we distributed 60 million pounds of food to 310,000 neighbors every single month,” said Natalie Caples, co-CEO of the CCFB during a virtual press conference, adding that the organization also partners with 10 additional food banks from Amador County to Kern County that are supported through LFPA farmers. “Of those neighbors, over 100,000 of them are children.”

Last year, LFPA funds provided the CCFB with more than $9 million to purchase food directly from local farmers in California.

“We understand that every administration will have different priorities for CCC funds, however the cancellation for LFPA 2025 means less fresh, nutritious foods available for people facing hunger, in addition to the lost revenue for farmers…who use LFPA contracts to grow their businesses and invest in their operations,” Caples said.