SIGN THE PETITION BY TUES., MAY 13!
Restore Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools (LFS) Funding!
We, the undersigned residents of Louisiana, respectfully yet urgently call upon Governor Jeff Landry to take immediate action in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) recent termination of two critical programs: the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Programs.
Impact on Louisiana:
Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program: Over the past two years, more than $12 million in LFPA funds have supported Louisiana's farmers, enabling them to supply fresh, locally grown food to food banks across the state. The abrupt termination of this program cuts an additional $6 million in promised support, threatening the livelihoods of small, local farmers and reducing access to nutritious food for our most vulnerable communities.
Local Food for Schools (LFS) Program: Louisiana was set to receive over $6 million through the LFS program to help schools purchase local food from Louisiana farmers. Louisiana schools have relied on this funding to provide healthy meals for students. The elimination of this program jeopardizes school meal programs, potentially leaving many children without access to nutritious food during the school day.
Consequences:
The termination of these programs will:
Harm small, local farmers.
Increase food insecurity among low-income families and children.
Disrupt local food supply chains.
Undermine the progress Louisiana has made in building a resilient, local food system.
We respectfully urge Governor Landry to:
Publicly oppose the USDA's termination of the LFPA and LFS programs.
Direct the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the Louisiana Department of Education to formally appeal the USDA's decision and seek the restoration of funding.
Collaborate with other states affected by these cuts to advocate for the reinstatement of these vital programs.
Louisiana's farmers, students, and families depend on these programs for their well-being and economic stability. We cannot afford to lose the progress we've made in supporting local agriculture and combating food insecurity.