Rep. Sykes Urges USDA to Reverse $471.5 Million Cut to Critical Program
USDA’s Cuts would Halt Millions in Funding for Foodbanks Across Ohio’s 13th Congressional District
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, urging the agency to reverse its recent decision to cut essential food assistance programs. This includes USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), which provides millions in funding for state and local governments to purchase locally grown foods for foodbanks. Families in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District rely on these programs to keep food on their tables, while farmers across Ohio rely on the program for revenue.
On March 8, 2025, states and foodbanks were notified by USDA that they would no longer be receiving funding under the LFPA program, amounting to a $471.5 billion cut in funding for healthy local foods, describing them as “nonessential.”
“In Ohio’s 13th district, and across the country, putting food on the table is essential. Suggesting that hunger programs are ‘nonessential’ is cruel and neglects children and the elderly in order to provide tax giveaways for billionaires. More than 20% of children go hungry in this community and we cannot turn our backs on those who need us the most,” wrote Rep. Sykes.
The lack of healthy food options has devastating effects on the health of communities, leading to higher incidence of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Ohio has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the country. In Ohio, 1,653,610 people are food insecure, 505,430 of whom are children.
Rep. Sykes has long been a leader in food security. Earlier this year, she led a bipartisan, bicameral effort to expand access to healthy foods in underserved communities and reduce the number of food deserts nationwide, introducing the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act (HFAAA).
The full letter can be found here.
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