In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made a pivotal decision that significantly impacted the farming and food assistance communities by terminating the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program. This announcement reverberated through various agricultural circles, particularly concerning small and minority farmers who had greatly benefited from the program, which facilitated the sale of produce to local food banks and hunger-relief organizations.
One farmer deeply affected by this funding cut is David Haughton from New York. Since 1995, Haughton has cultivated a 35-acre farm, relying heavily on the LFPA amid ongoing revenue challenges worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The termination of this program has led to an astonishing 60 percent market loss for his farm, threatening his ability to meet mortgage obligations and sustain his livelihood.
Initially launched in 2021 under the Biden administration as a dedicated response to the pandemic, the LFPA program aimed to bolster food security in vulnerable communities while supporting local farmers. It directed state funds toward purchasing locally grown produce for distribution through various community programs like schools and food banks. The abrupt end of this program not only severed crucial revenue streams for farmers like Haughton but also jeopardized the organizations that depended on local produce, such as The Campaign Against Hunger and GrowNYC. This termination comes alongside further federal food aid cuts, including the Local Food for Schools program, which together represent a loss of over $1 billion annually to local food supply chains.
These austerity measures reflect a broader agenda from the USDA during President Trump’s administration, which has sought to decrease federal spending by rolling back several agricultural and food assistance initiatives. Beyond the LFPA, there have been cuts to the Regional Food Business Centers program, a lifeline for small and mid-sized agricultural enterprises. Critics of these federal decisions argue that such cutbacks undermine commitments to small farmers, disproportionately impacting minority and Black farmers who have historically faced difficulties in accessing capital and resources.
In light of these cuts, advocacy groups and lawmakers have taken action to preserve crucial support systems. For instance, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and 30 other senators have publicly called on the USDA to reconsider these sweeping program cancellations, emphasizing the grave threats posed to food security and small-scale agriculture. Several states are also mounting resistance; Pennsylvania has filed a federal lawsuit against the USDA, challenging the legality of the funding termination, while California’s governor is advocating for the restoration of key LFPA subsidies that have substantially supported the state’s food banks and farming communities.
Amid this tumultuous landscape, organizations like the Black Farmer Fund (BFF) are stepping in to fill the void left by federal withdrawals. Founded by farmer activists, BFF provides low-interest loans and grants to support Black farmers. For Haughton, assistance from the Fund proved crucial, as a grant allowed him to stabilize his farm and housing situation. According to Myra Marcellin, BFF’s investment director, access to capital remains the most significant barrier to sustainability for Black farmers, particularly following the disruptions in government funding. The grant not only helped Haughton remain afloat but also enabled him to invest in new equipment and hire part-time workers, essential steps for rebuilding resilience.
Haughton’s resilience has been further tested by a devastating fire that engulfed his home in August 2025, destroying parts of the house and essential supplies. Despite these adversities, his commitment to farming remains unwavering. He sees farmers not merely as food producers but as indispensable contributors to society, deserving greater recognition and support from financial institutions and the federal government. His story exemplifies the real-world consequences of policy decisions, particularly for small farmers navigating a challenging agricultural economy while striving to feed their communities.
The termination of the LFPA and related local food programs signifies a critical turning point for agriculture and food security in the U.S. As federal funding contracts pose an existential threat to small and minority farmers, urgent calls for policy reconsideration and ongoing grassroots support grow more imperative to ensure the survival of these vital contributors to the nation’s food system.