Readers of Circle of Blue know well that industrial agriculture is the largest source of water pollution in the United States. Fertilizer draining from farmland and manure pouring out of factory poultry, hog, cattle, and dairy operations generate more contamination than any other industry in our history. 

The Department of Agriculture took a step to address a bit of the pollution while also supplying  food where it is needed. In 2020 it started a $250 million annual program to support small farms in 43 states, many of them sustainable and organic, to supply fresh food to students in school. Good idea. Revenue for farms that deploy ecologically- sensitive farm practices. Feed kids. 

President Trump, though, objects to feeding “food insecure” children” and is cancelling the program.

The Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, here in our home region of northwest Michigan, was one of the organizations that launched the idea of putting local fresh foods in school cafeterias.  A USDA spokesperson this month told the group that the Local Foods For School Program “no longer effectuate[s] the goals of the agency.”

Trump’s USDA is bulldozing efforts that help small farms and food producers sell healthy food directly to schools, food banks, and their local communities. 

Nationwide funding cuts halt delivery of 300 trucks, affecting local food bank supplies

When the fight against hunger becomes a casualty of Trump’s cruelty

Georgia schools and food banks lose USDA fresh food funding amid Trump cuts

Trump administration’s closure of Education Department may impact NY school meal programs 

Circle of Blue's senior editor and chief correspondent based in Traverse City, Michigan. He has reported on the contest for energy, food, and water in the era of climate change from six continents. Contact
Keith Schneider