The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has decided to end funding for two key programs that supported local food sourcing in Nevada schools and food banks, as part of efforts to reduce federal spending. The Nevada Department of Agriculture received termination notices for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) and the 2025 Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA).
The LFPA program was instrumental in operating Home Feeds Nevada, which facilitated the purchase and distribution of local food products to the state’s major food banks, including Three Square Food Bank and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. The program was initially launched during the 2021 legislative session, leveraging federal funding available during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These cuts reverse a $1.1 billion expansion of these programs announced in December by the Biden administration. The USDA stated that the decision aligns with a broader effort to address the federal budget deficit and is a move back to long-term fiscal responsibility, shifting away from using the Commodity Credit Corporation funds for short-term initiatives.
The Nevada Department of Agriculture was set to receive significant funding for these programs in the 2025 fiscal year, but now faces a shortfall. With only $139,000 remaining for the Home Feeds Nevada program, the program will no longer operate without additional funding.
Three Square Food Bank, which benefited from USDA-supported funding, anticipates a reduction in food supplies by summer, potentially impacting the food security of many in Nevada. The state has seen a rise in food insecurity, exacerbated by inflation and lingering effects of the pandemic.
Additionally, tribal communities in Nevada, such as the Fallon Paiute Shoshone, Pyramid Lake Paiute, and Walker River Paiute tribes, were also beneficiaries of the LFPA program. The Walker River Paiute Tribe expressed concern over the lack of explanation for the program’s termination.
In response, Nevada lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 233, which proposes to allocate $800,000 from the state’s general fund to support the Home Feeds Nevada program. The bill also aims to explore sustainable funding sources for food purchase programs through a study conducted by the Governor’s Council of Food Security.
The termination of these programs not only impacts food banks and those experiencing hunger but also affects local agriculture, as many Nevada farms are family-owned and rely on such programs for revenue. The cuts are expected to have widespread implications for both the agricultural and business communities across the country.
