USDA Cuts Tribal Food Program | ProPublica
- Kennedy Jr.'s vocal concerns about the impact of processed foods on Native American health, the Trump administration has terminated a USDA program that supported tribal food banks.
- Though, the USDA's Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program, initiated under President Joe biden to boost local food purchases from farmers and ranchers, was cut.Agriculture Secretary Brooke...
- A USDA spokesperson said the department continues to distribute funds through other nutrition programs, including the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, which started in the 1970s with...
The Trump governance has cut a USDA programme aiding tribal food banks, despite the emphasis of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Native American health and nutrition. This decision, ending the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program, is drawing criticism, with tribes claiming this crucial funding helped alleviate long-standing access issues to nutritious food. This move comes as Kennedy has been vocal about the detrimental impact of processed foods, even calling them a threat to Native American communities. The scrapped program, initially designed to boost local food purchases with farmers and ranchers, will leave a void for many in the community. Read more from News Directory 3 about the program’s effects and tribal responses. Discover what’s next …
Trump Administration Ends USDA Program Aiding Tribal Food Banks
Updated May 28,2025
Despite U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vocal concerns about the impact of processed foods on Native American health, the Trump administration has terminated a USDA program that supported tribal food banks. Kennedy has repeatedly criticized prepackaged foods, even calling them a “genocide” against Native Americans due to limited grocery store access in their communities. He has advocated for providing high-quality, conventional foods to reservations to combat chronic diseases.
Though, the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program, initiated under President Joe biden to boost local food purchases from farmers and ranchers, was cut.Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called the half-billion-dollar program a remnant of the COVID era, stating it did not align with the administration’s priorities. Ninety of the food banks that benefited from the program focused on serving tribes.
A USDA spokesperson said the department continues to distribute funds through other nutrition programs, including the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, which started in the 1970s with processed “commodities” but has as added more nutritious options. However, unlike the canceled grant program, few tribes in the Food distribution Program can directly purchase food from local farmers and ranchers.
