By Clint Thompson
The cancellation of the Local Foods for Schools Program (LFS) left one U.S. Senator asking the Ag Secretary, ‘Why?’
A heated exchange between Senator Jon Ossoff (GA) and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins occurred during the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies hearing on May 6. Ossoff asked why the Trump Administration cancelled a program that was benefiting so many of his constituents.
“This is a program, of course, that helps Georgia farmers sell food to Georgia schools. Why did you cancel the program?” Ossoff asked.
Rollins responded with, “Well, we canceled the program. It was a COVID-era program, first of all. Second of all, the money wasn’t being spent. In the current tranche, your state has $2 million of $7 million left in the account. You’re asking for contract extensions because you can’t spend the money quickly enough. The food for the FPA, the LPA, we’ve got $10 million of $20 million left. So, you’ve got money in the bank.”
Ossoff then asked, “Why rather than tailor the program did you cancel it?”
“It’s not a good use of taxpayer funds,” Rollins said.
“Well, my constituents believe that it is,” Ossoff said.
“I would love to talk to your constituents and wonder if they know that the state of Georgia has not moved that money out,” Rollins said.
Ossoff finally asked Rollins to provide an economic justification to the committee for the outright cancellation of that program?”
“An economic justification for the outright cancellation of the COVID-era program that was due to end? Yes, we will be happy to do that,” Rollins added.
Program Support
Ossoff provided multiple sources that supported the program which helped Georgia farmers sell fresh food to local schools.
For example, Dawson County Schools Director of School Nutrition Scott Richardson told Sen. Ossoff’s office, “Over the past two years, participation in the LFS program has transformed our ability to bring healthy, fresh, and locally grown fruits and vegetables to our students. Prior to LFS, purchasing from local farmers was often cost-prohibitive due to pricing and transportation challenges. The LFS program alleviated those barriers, enabling our department to build direct partnerships with farmers in Dawson, Hall, Fannin and Warren Counties, among others.”
Parrish Akins, who owns a family farm in Nashville, told Sen. Ossoff’s office that the program, “has allowed our farming operation to capture some of the profits which in the past would have gone to another member of the supply chain and has allowed us to increase our revenues.”