Appropriations committee rejects amendment to reinstate Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs
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Summary
Lawmakers debated restoration of two programs that connected local farmers to food banks and school meal programs; the committee voted down an amendment to reinstate the funding, citing mandatory cost concerns and need for authorization.
Representative Chellie Pingree offered an amendment to restore the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program and the Local Food for Schools program, both of which provided grants and contracts to buy local produce for food banks, schools and other nutrition programs. Supporters said the programs were economic lifelines for small and specialty farmers and increased access to fresh, locally sourced food in school meals and food banks.
Opponents, including the subcommittee chair, said reinstating the programs in appropriations would create over $1 billion in unoffset mandatory spending annually and that the authorities for these programs were not authorized by Congress and historically relied on the Commodity Credit Corporation. Members also noted USDA has other statutory tools to buy local commodities. Supporters from both parties and several states described examples of farmers and food banks harmed when contracts were canceled.
After debate and a voice vote that led to a roll-call, the clerk reported the ayes at 30 and the noes at 32 (or 32–34 in alternate tallies) and the amendment was not adopted. Supporters said they would continue to press for reinstatement and authorization, and highlighted specific state-level impacts reported during the markup.