Louisiana Farm Bureau Urges USDA to Reinstate Local Food Purchase Programs for Schools and Food Banks
Baton Rouge, La. — The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to review and revive key local food purchasing programs that have supported farmers and ranchers while providing fresh, nutritious food to schools and food banks across Louisiana.
In a letter sent to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, LFBF expressed concern over the cancellation of the Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) program, Local Food for Schools (LFS), and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). These programs played a critical role in strengthening local food systems by connecting Louisiana farmers directly with schools and food banks.
“These programs delivered real results for our farmers, our schools, and our communities,” said Richard Fontenot, president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. “They created reliable local markets for Louisiana-grown products, helped schools and food banks access fresh food, and kept food dollars circulating in rural economies.”
Through SCA, LFS, and LFPA, school districts and food banks were able to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed, domestically produced foods, supporting both nutritional goals and local agriculture. For Louisiana farmers and ranchers, the programs helped offset rising input costs, market disruptions, and ongoing economic uncertainty.
“As of early 2026, no additional funding has been announced for these programs, and their cancellation has already resulted in canceled orders and reduced local purchasing opportunities for our producers,” Fontenot said. “While we respect efforts to reduce spending, these programs were working. We believe there is an opportunity to build similar, fiscally responsible programs that continue to strengthen farm-to-school and farm-to-food bank partnerships.”
LFBF emphasized that the benefits of local food purchase programs extend beyond individual farms. The programs support rural jobs, strengthen domestic food supply chains, and ensure students and families in need have access to nutritious, American-grown food.
“Sustained investment in local food purchasing is essential to maintaining a strong, competitive agricultural system,” Fontenot said. “We stand ready to work with USDA to develop programs that support American farmers while serving our schools and food banks.”
Louisiana Farm Bureau represents more than 125,000 member families across the state and advocates for policies that strengthen agriculture, rural communities, and food security.