Iowa Food Assistance Loses Millions After USDA Pulls Funding

Iowa food banks and the local food network are in a bind, thanks in part to federal funding that is no longer on the way.

The Corridor Business Journal reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that anticipated federal funding for farm to school and food assistance programs will not be coming. The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service had committed more than $2 billion nationwide to support state governments through the Local Food for Schools, Local Food Purchasing Assistance, and Local Food for Child Care programs according to the CBJ. 

The state of Iowa was set to receive $11.3 million over three years. That money would have been used to direct millions into supplying local meat, dairy, and produce to schools, early childhood centers, and food pantries, according to the CBJ. The funding was going to build upon the $7.8 million already allocated to the state since 2022. That money has benefited 135 school districts, 300 farms, and 951 food distribution sites in 98 Iowa counties according to the CBJ. 

The USDA has confirmed that it will uphold existing contracts from the 2022 funding. But the next phase of funding, which was to begin this fall, has been officially canceled. A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship stated that the agreements have been terminated with no plans for reinstatement, according to the CBJ. 

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