Food Equity Federal Update Tracker

Food Equity Federal Update Tracker

Tracking Federal Changes Impacting Food Systems, Farmers, and Food Access

The Los Angeles Food Policy Council is actively monitoring federal policy shifts affecting our food system, tracking funding cuts, reinstatements, and new legislative threats to food security. This tracker is regularly updated to provide a clear timeline of key changes and their impact on Los Angeles and beyond. 

If your organization has been impacted by these cuts or is interested in collective action, please let us know. We are working to coordinate advocacy efforts and would love to connect with others who want to mobilize and respond as a united front.

We will continue monitoring these developments and coordinating efforts to protect funding for food access, local farms, and food hubs in Los Angeles and beyond.

Access Tracker HERE

Latest Updates: (last updated March 21, 2025)

March 21, 2025 – USDA Announces New FPAC Leadership to Better Serve Farmers and Ranchers

Sources: USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has appointed new leaders to its Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area, aiming to enhance support for farmers, ranchers, and producers nationwide. These appointments are part of President Trump's "America First" agenda, focusing on reducing bureaucratic delays and ensuring efficient delivery of services. ​

Key Appointments:

• Brooke Appleton – Appointed as Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. Formerly Vice President of Public Policy at the National Corn Growers Association, Appleton brings extensive experience in agricultural advocacy.​

• Andrew Fisher – Named Chief of Staff for Farm Production and Conservation. Fisher previously served as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), contributing to agricultural policy development.​

• Aubrey Bettencourt – Appointed Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Bettencourt's background includes roles as Global Director of Government Relations at Netafim and President & CEO of the Almond Alliance, highlighting her commitment to water policy and sustainability.​

• Bill Beam – Selected as Administrator for the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Beam operates Beam Farms Inc. in Pennsylvania and has served on various agricultural boards, bringing practical farming experience to the role.​

• Pat Swanson – Appointed Administrator for the Risk Management Agency (RMA). Swanson's experience includes serving as a director for the American Soybean Association and operating a crop insurance agency, aiding farmers in risk management.​

• Colton Buckley – Named Chief of Staff for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Buckley previously served as CEO of the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils, focusing on rural economic development.​

These leaders are expected to drive initiatives that streamline processes and bolster support for the agricultural community, reinforcing the USDA's commitment to those who feed, fuel, and clothe America.

March 19, 2025 – USDA Halts Emergency Food Assistance Deliveries​

Sources: Politico

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unexpectedly halted millions of dollars in food deliveries to food banks across several states, affecting organizations that rely on The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The USDA had previously allocated $500 million for these deliveries in fiscal year 2025. However, numerous food bank leaders report that many of these orders have been canceled without explanation. ​Politico

These abrupt cancellations come on the heels of the Trump administration's decision to cut over $1 billion in federal spending for programs that allowed schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers, further straining resources for vulnerable populations. ​

The USDA has not provided a clear explanation for the halts, leaving food banks uncertain about future deliveries and struggling to meet the increasing demand amid rising food prices. ​

March 15, 2025 – Senate Supports GOP Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown

Sources: Reuters, ABCNews

On March 14, 2025, the Senate approved a stopgap funding bill with a 54-46 vote, narrowly avoiding a partial government shutdown. The bill maintains government funding through September 2025 but includes a $13 billion reduction in non-defense spending while increasing defense spending by $6 billion. Notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and nine other Democrats voted in favor, a decision that has sparked significant intra-party debate. Schumer defended his vote by emphasizing the severe consequences a shutdown could have on federal benefits such as Medicaid and Social Security.

March 14, 2025 - Continued Resolution Vote + New Executive Order

Sources: Los Angeles Times 

House and Senate Republicans are currently engaged in a special budget process known as reconciliation, allowing them to pass sweeping policy changes with a simple majority vote. Decisions expected on March 14 could result in substantial cuts to essential programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

• The House budget resolution, passed on February 28, instructs committees to cut at least $2 trillion in spending to fund tax cuts, including deep reductions in critical safety nets that support working families.

• Cuts to SNAP would slash food assistance and child nutrition programs for millions of Americans, affecting both households and food businesses that accept SNAP.

• Cuts to Medicaid would force states to reduce coverage, limit benefits, or remove millions—including farmers and farmworkers—from affordable healthcare access.

  
  

New Executive Order: Cuts to Community and Minority Business Development

Sources: The White House

On March 14, President Trump signed an executive order eliminating funding for several federal agencies, including the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)—two critical programs that provide capital and support for small and minority-owned businesses.

Key Impacts on the Food System:

• Loss of funding for food entrepreneurs & small businesses – The CDFI Fund has historically provided financing for food businesses in underserved communities, including small food manufacturers, food hubs, and local grocery stores. The elimination of this fund could limit access to capital for businesses working to improve food access in low-income neighborhoods.

• Threat to minority-owned food businesses – The MBDA has been instrumental in supporting Black, Latino, and Indigenous-owned food businesses, helping them secure funding, scale operations, and compete in the food industry. Cutting this program will further exacerbate racial disparities in food entrepreneurship.

• Reduced investment in community-driven food solutions – Both the CDFI Fund and MBDA have played roles in financing farmers markets, urban agriculture projects, and cooperative grocery stores. Without this support, many of these initiatives may struggle to stay afloat, reducing local food options in communities that already face high rates of food insecurity.

  
  

These cuts represent a shift away from community-based economic development, placing additional financial strain on small business owners, food producers, and organizations working to build equitable food systems.

March 13, 2025 – $1B+ in Local Food Funding Eliminated (Cut)

Sources: The Guardian, The Hill, Politico

The USDA has terminated two major programs that supported farm-to-school initiatives and food bank procurement:

• $660M cut from the Local Food for Schools (LFS) program, which allowed schools and childcare centers to purchase food from local farms to provide students with nutritious, regionally sourced meals.

• $500M cut from the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program, which helped food banks and emergency food providers buy directly from small and local farmers, increasing access to fresh produce and strengthening regional food economies.

State officials were notified last week that these programs will be terminated within 60 days.

VICTORY: March 10, 2025 – Farms Together Funding Reinstated (Reinstated)

Sources: CAFF

After a two-week freeze, the USDA has restored funding for the Farms Together program, which delivers food from local farmers to food-insecure communities. Thanks to swift advocacy from farmers and food system leaders, the program is back in operation for now.

• Over the past year, 500+ farmers have supplied food to 50+ food banks, supporting 18 million meals and investing $20M+ in California agriculture.

• The two-week pause alone resulted in nearly $1M in lost sales, creating financial uncertainty for farmers and food hubs.

• LFPA 2025 funds have now been canceled, limiting future support for the program.

  
  

While this reinstatement is an important win, we must remain vigilant as new federal cuts continue to threaten food access and farm viability.

March 4, 2025 – Farms Together Program Frozen (Cut)

Sources: CAFF, SF Successful Farming

The USDA’s freeze on the Farms Together program (part of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program) has caused immediate disruptions across California’s food system:

• 533 California farms lost $550,000 in weekly sales.

• Nearly 100,000 people lost weekly access to fresh produce.

• 35 food hubs lost a key market for local food distribution.

• $35 million in obligated funds to California is now in limbo.

• Organizations like Fresh Approach, CAFF, and California Association of Food Banks are facing financial strain in supporting staff and operations.

February 26, 2025 – Political Shifts & Executive Orders Threaten Nonprofit Grants & Contracts (At Risk)

Sources: Council of Nonprofits

• Federal grants & contracts may be canceled if they include DEI, environmental justice, or equity-related work.

• New restrictions on federal contractors may limit funding opportunities for food systems organizations working on racial justice, climate justice, or workforce equity.

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status may be at risk for organizations engaging in activities the administration deems as “prohibited.” While the exact definitions remain unclear, this could put many food justice initiatives under scrutiny.

• Legal challenges are underway, but in the meantime, organizations that rely on federal funding should assess risks and prepare contingency plans.

February 20, 2025 – USDA Freezes Inflation Reduction Act Funds (At Risk)

Sources: CBPP,  Civil Eats Policy Tracker, USDA, NPR, 

• On February 20, 2025, the USDA announced the release of $20 million in frozen conservation funds for existing farmer contracts under EQIP, CSP, and ACEP. However, most Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding remains under review, with the USDA stating they are prioritizing farm operations while scrutinizing DEI and climate-related programs. More announcements are expected, but uncertainty remains for food systems organizations relying on these funds.

• House Republicans are directing the House Agricultural Committee to identify  $230 billion in cuts, which would largely impact SNAP food benefits for low-income families. These cuts would not only harm families who depend on food assistance but also negatively impact farmers who rely on SNAP purchases as a stable market for their crops.

• The dismantling of USAID agricultural programs could make it harder for farmers to sell staple crops like corn and soybeans, further disrupting food supply chains.

• Farmers are already facing financial uncertainty due to the USDA funding freezes, with some taking out loans or delaying payments. If SNAP is cut, food-insecure households—especially in rural and urban low-income communities—will face greater hardship.