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Yesterday, Monday, January 27th, 2025, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a directive requiring federal agencies to temporarily pause all obligations and disbursements of federal financial assistance, effective 2PM (PST) / 5:00 PM (EST), January 28th. This sweeping directive includes all grants and loans while agencies conduct a review to ensure compliance with recent executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, clean energy funding, and other federal priorities. Federal agencies and programs outlined in this LIST must provide requested information by February 7th.
You can read the full memo HERE.
Implications for Food Equity efforts at LAFPC
This funding pause could disrupt many vital programs serving our most vulnerable communities in Los Angeles. LAFPC programs developed and implemented with federal grants, like those addressing food insecurity, equitable market access, and sustainable local food systems, may face delays in funding or operational interruptions. We are in close communication with our partners regarding potential program implications. (Please note: All activities will continue as planned until advised otherwise.)
As a collective impact organization, LAFPC is deeply concerned about how this may affect food equity initiatives in our region, including:
Healthy Markets LA Program (formerly Healthy Neighborhood Market Network): This program, funded through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), helps transform corner stores in underserved communities into hubs for healthy food access. Funding delays could jeopardize ongoing support for participating markets and their ability to serve families in need.
Cultivating Farmers: This USDA-funded program supports emerging farmers, particularly farmers of color, to advance local food production and equity. A pause in funding could disrupt their operations and access to resources, which are critical for building resilience in our local food system.
Farm Fresh LA: This locally grown produce distribution program, which supplies fresh produce to low-income communities through small markets, was pending a federal award to the state through the CNIP program to distribute $50,000 (5 lbs.) bundles of produce over the next three years. A funding delay could jeopardize the program’s ability to launch and expand access to fresh, healthy food in communities that need it most.
Growing Urban Agriculture: This USDA- FSA funded initiative supports urban growers across Los Angeles and Orange County in addition to the Bay Area by building bridges between urban growers and Farm Services Agency. Core activities associated with this grant include two annual outreach events, microgrant for urban growers and a 16 month paid urban grower fellowship.
So Cal Food Fund: This Healthy Food Financing Initiative aims to support healthy food retail across the Southern CA region increasing access to capital through low interest loans and grants to business owners in the region.
Good Food Purchasing- CA Collaborative: This USDA-RFSP effort funds statewide partners working to deepen the impact of local Good Food Purchasing Policies across Los Angeles and the Bay Area while exploring state-level opportunities to advance good food procurement through state-level policies and mechanisms.
Beyond LAFPC’s programs, other food equity initiatives in our region, such as emergency food distribution, nutrition assistance, and community-driven solutions, may also be at risk, creating uncertainty for organizations working on the frontlines to combat food insecurity.
Legal and Operational Implications
Attorney General Bonta is joined by the attorneys general of New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit to block federal directive.
The National Council of Nonprofits announced at 9 am this morning: “The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) is filing a Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block the White House Office of Management and Budget from pausing all federal agency grants and loans. National Council of Nonprofits is filing together with public health and small business leaders, represented in court by Democracy Forward. This reckless action by the administration would be catastrophic for nonprofit organizations and the people and communities they serve. From pausing research on cures for childhood cancer to halting housing and food assistance, shuttering domestic violence and homeless shelters, and closing suicide hotlines, the impact of even a short pause in funding could be devastating and cost lives. This order must be halted immediately before such avoidable harm is done. - Jennifer Fearing
Our Next Steps
To ensure we stay on top of this situation, LAFPC is:
Engaging with our Network: We are reaching out to our partners to assess the potential impacts of this directive on food equity programs across Los Angeles.
Monitoring Federal and Local Updates: We are closely tracking developments and seeking clarity from federal and local agencies.
Advocating for Food Equity: LAFPC is committed to elevating the critical role that food equity programs play in supporting vulnerable communities and will work with our partners to advocate for the protection of these resources.
LAFPC is closely monitoring the situation and working with partners to understand the full scope of the impact. We will keep you updated as we learn more and will provide key information on actions you can take to help protect food equity programs in Los Angeles.
In Community,
Los Angeles Food Policy Council
We reside, work, and cultivate food
on unceded Indigenous homelands.
We acknowledge and honor the descendants of the Tongva, Kizh, and Gabrieleño peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles Basin and the Southern Channel Islands). We pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.
As part of a greater foodshed, we would also like to pay respect to and honor the Chumash, Tataviam, Serrano, Kitanemuk, ʔíviĨuqaletem, Acjachemen, Payómkawichum, and any other tribal group possibly not mentioned. As a Food Policy Council for Los Angeles we recognize this land acknowledgment is limited and engagement is an ongoing process of learning and accountability. To learn more about these First Nations, visit here.