USDA cancels $8M funding for Nevada food programs

The Trump administration has terminated over $8 million in funding for two critical programs in Nevada that supported local food purchases for schools and food banks. The Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs had previously provided significant resources for fresh produce and food aid, benefiting many low-income families and children in the state. This decision reverses a December pledge by the USDA under President Biden for a $1.1 billion investment in these initiatives through 2025. The Nevada Department of Agriculture, which administers these programs, now faces severe budget constraints, with remaining funds expected to be depleted by mid-2025. Advocates argue that these cuts will exacerbate food insecurity in Nevada, where one in seven residents faces hunger. The USDA has defended the cuts as part of a broader effort for fiscal responsibility and a shift away from COVID-era funding programs.