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Farmers, Non-Profits, Food Banks Wounded by Abrupt Reversal
Belying my past 30-year career as a political journalist, I have for the most part avoided engaging Local Food Forum in politics. Over a dozen years ago, early in my career transition, I concluded that there was no reason for politics to divide us in our pursuit of a better food system.
My thinking was, and remains, that what we are advocating is just simply a good thing. We are working to build a healthier, more sustainable, more humane and fairer food system that benefits eaters, farmers, food manufacturers, the environment and animals. We are helping to rebuild economies in rural and economically struggling urban areas. The movement toward a better food system is a big tent, or at least it should be.
And the growth in the "Good Food" sector is largely the result of consumer-driven market demand, otherwise known as capitalism.
But... it is impossible, and unworthy, to avoid politics when government decision-makers make an abrupt and unreasoned decision to institute federal funding cuts that threaten the very livelihoods of many farmers, set back the development of a vibrant and resilient local food ecosystem, and deprive people facing food insecurity of access to healthy, fresh, nutritious food.
Over the past few days, we learned that the new regime in Washington, D.C. had cut off reimbursements to participants in two programs that were created under the previous administration: Local Food Purchase Assistance Program and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program. Under this order, any expenses paid by program participants after January 19, 2025 — the last day of the Biden presidency — would not be reimbursed.
The result of this is the suspension of the IL-EATS program implemented by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Under the program, the state used federal funding to contract with socially disadvantaged farmers to buy food products at market value. This food was then distributed through non-profit organizations and distributors at no cost to members of underserved communities.
It is a program of enormous benefits to participating farmers, intermediary organizations and food recipients. Which makes the sudden termination of the program devastating to farmers who contractually laid out their own money to produce crops under the supposedly binding pledge of federal reimbursement; a loss for those who received healthy, local food under the program; and a potentially major setback to our efforts to grow our local food ecosystem.
I covered the federal government for three decades, enough to know that there are programs that could reasonably be described as wasteful, and a deliberate and careful process to weed out those programs has merit. But a rushed and subjective process that throws out good programs with the bad does not.
The IL-EATS program stoppage is not about waste, fraud and abuse. It is surely not about government efficiency.
It is vandalism.
The sections below contain the Illinois Department of Agriculture press release announcing the program freeze; a Facebook post from Raghela Scavuzzo, the local food lead at Illinois Farm Bureau, with graphics that show how impactful the IL-EATS program has been; and statements from Farmers Rising and Tulip Tree Gardens, two of the 15 entities that managed the aggregation of farm products under the program.
And if you are moved to action, please contact your state and federal lawmakers to let them know that you care.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUTS FUNDING FOR GRANTS THAT SUPPORT ILLINOIS FARMERS AND FOOD BANKS
USDA has ceased reimbursements for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) and Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI)
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) today announced that the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) can no longer operate in Illinois due to the Trump Administration cutting funding for the programs.
Without explanation, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed states that it was ceasing reimbursements for any costs incurred after
January 19, 2025.
The USDA established the LFPA program to strengthen statewide food systems, using federal funds to buy food from growers and producers at fair market value that is distributed to communities in need at no cost. In Illinois, 883 community sites have distributed food from 176 farmers, 58% of whom meet the USDA definition for new farmers.
In addition, Illinois is the only state committed to sourcing 100% of products from socially disadvantaged farmers. Illinois was approved to distribute $43 million under the course of the multi-year agreement and $17.8 million remains outstanding from the federal government.
The purpose of the RFSI program is to expand the middle of the food supply chain capacity for locally and regionally produced foods to offer better market opportunities and new streams of revenue to small and mid-sized agricultural producers. IDOA was in the process of selecting
grantees for the RFSI program, which would have provided $6.4 million in grant funding to entities.
Recently, states were notified by USDA that LFPA and RFSI invoices are being processed only for costs incurred on or prior to January 19, 2025. Reimbursement claims submitted for costs incurred after that date are being returned with no explanation or timeline for reimbursements to resume.
“Cutting funds for these programs is a slap in the face to Illinois farmers and the communities they feed,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The Trump Administration’s refusal to release grant funds doesn’t just hurt farmers in the program, it devastates our most vulnerable, food-insecure communities relying on meat, fresh produce and other nutritious donations.”
“This program requires Illinois farmers to invest in upfront input costs which is no longer possible given that the federal government has said they will no longer provide reimbursements,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. “Without federal funding, the program that has helped to create local food systems in Illinois is unfortunately no longer able to operate.”
“Agriculture drives so much of the economy and innovation in Illinois – this loss in support for our farmers, especially those from communities that have historically been disinvested in, is a loss or everyone in our state,” said IDHS Secretary Dulce M. Quintero. “Access to nutrition is a human right, and I join our Governor and State leaders in calling on the federal government to do the right thing and help sustain our food system with the grant funding that had been established.”
Raghela Scavuzzo, Illinois Farm Bureau
IL-EATS/LFPA did not come easy. It did not come without hiccups. It took time and over a year to plan and build. Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Human Services, and University of Illinois Extension spent hours upon hours with their advisory committee, communities, distributors and farmers to build a one of a kind program for the state.
Believe me, everyone has had opinions and concerns about the project over the past several years because nothing is perfect. But if you want to see impact these maps [above] speak volumes. This highlights how food access, local foods, and economic development truly can change a state.
This program is impacting all sectors of agriculture from our the state, building new wholesale markets, creating scalability for new farmers, and building our much needed infrastructre to feed our most vulnerable populations in the state of Illinois.
Look at these photos [above]. Digest what you are seeing.
1: The burgundy doppler is the food aggregators/lead agencies and distributors for the project…many new to aggregation and logistics.
2:The yellow are all the different farms that are having their products sold into these new markets.
3: The blue are all the food access sites giving food to communities in need without a cost.
In a time with rising food costs, limited markets and so much change, it is programs like this that build impact. This program and the accompanying RFSI (which would help build capacity) are truly changing the regional food market and food access in Illinois. It is the possibility, hope and relationships that have been being developed over the past decade.
We all know we have to look for long-term programs that build sustainable projects…but this was a huge infusion that was just starting to help create those amazing pieces we need.
I just wanted to show how these federal dollars impact everyone and build-long term programs through public private partnerships.
Federal Funding Crisis: IL EATS Farmers, Workers, and Beneficiaries Harmed
Dear friends,
We are in the midst of a federal funding crisis at Farmers Rising.
When the Trump administration initially froze federal funding in January, we were alarmed and reached out for help to weather the uncertainty. Shortly after, we let you know we had a reprieve since a court decision allowed us to move forward with our IL EATS work, supporting farmers and bringing free local food to our neighbors facing food insecurity.
That reprieve ended last week.
On Thursday, IL EATS program administrators informed us they could not request USDA reimbursement for program expenses after January 19; therefore, they cannot guarantee that staffing or farmer food purchases will be reimbursed if we continue.
Elusive updates like “cannot guarantee” are more paralyzing than a definite end to funding. How do we possibly choose the right course of action?
Given this news, we are losing $125,000 in admin funding and $620,000 in farmer food purchases; therefore, if we move forward and the program is permanently canceled, we risk almost certain financial default. However, if we stop our IL EATS work, we will be forced to lay off our amazing IL EATS staff, and our farmers will lose crucial planned sales.
Since our staff and programs do not work in isolation, stopping our IL EATS work would also have troubling ripple effects across our organization. Alongside our Regenerative Farmer Incubator program and Beginning Farmer Entrepreneurship training, IL EATS completes an all-important package of beginning farmer support services.
Fueled by all three efforts, we positioned ourselves to be able to help someone develop and refine their farm dream, create a comprehensive business plan, and provide them with crucial access to land and markets. IL EATS was the missing piece to this package because the risk of starting a farm without market access is too high.
After intentionally building and planning for this moment for over 2 years, the results of IL EATS were immediate.
Peasant Revolt Farms - “IL EATS came during a year when we would have been absolutely struggling to piece everything together. We just feel ridiculously lucky to be a part of the program.”
Quarry Farms - “We know we can grow the food; we’ve proven that. We just need the market. It’s difficult to get into wholesale markets as a small, family farm, and working with Farmers Rising on IL EATS has been an amazing opportunity to do that.”
Having the bottom ripped out from under us and our farmers after only one year of proven results is cruel and devastating. If our other 2 federal grants are similarly pulled or frozen indefinitely, it would be catastrophic for Farmers Rising.
More than ever, Farmers Rising and the Regenerative Agriculture movement need you.
Join our emergency response team by:
Contributing to our $100,000 March Bridge fundraising campaign.
Purchasing IL EATS farmers’ products to cover planned sales.
Forwarding this appeal to your network to grow our response team.
In gratitude and solidarity,
The Farmers Rising Team
Rachael Smedberg, co-owner, Tulip Tree Gardens, Beecher, Illinois
Dear Valued Customers,
It is with a heavy heart that we reach out to you regarding an important update about our IL-Eats box packing program. Due to unforeseen circumstances, funding for our Illinois Eats initiative has been temporarily frozen. As a result, Tulip Tree Gardens will, regrettably, be unable to deliver Illinois Eats or LFPA foods until further notice.
Since its inception last season, the Illinois program has been a vital part of our mission to provide locally sourced, nutritious food to our community that need it most. We have worked tirelessly to strengthen local food systems, ensuring that fresh, high-quality food is accessible to all.
The temporary suspension of this program is a deeply concerning development for everyone involved. We have witnessed firsthand the positive impact this initiative has had on our community and beyond, as farmers across our state have utilized this program to elevate local food production.
We invite you to strengthen your commitment to local agriculture by continuing your support for Tulip Tree Gardens and our dedicated network of farmers. Through our Community Supported Agriculture programs, pork meat boxes, and our on-site farm stand, you can play a vital role in sustaining local farming efforts. Now is the moment to stand behind your local farmers more than ever, ensuring they thrive and contribute to our community's well-being.
We recognize the divisions that exist in our country today. But we must come together in unity to address the most fundamental needs of our most vulnerable citizens. Our strength lies in our ability to support one another.
We will keep you updated on ways you can unite behind our farmers in Illinois. Together, we can foster a community that prioritizes local food and nourishes not just our bodies, but our communities.
With gratitude and faith,
Rachael