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This story has been up to date with an announcement from the U.S. Division of Agriculture.
The U.S. Division of Agriculture has canceled a $26.3 million federal grant that might have helped Illinois Okay-12 faculties and little one care facilities buy meals from native farmers for varsity meals and snacks, the Illinois State Board of Schooling stated Wednesday.
The federal authorities canceled funding for the Native Meals for Colleges and Baby Care Cooperative Settlement on March 7, the state board stated in a press launch. A termination letter from the USDA’s Agricultural Advertising and marketing Service obtained by Chalkbeat Chicago stated the division “decided this settlement now not effectuates company priorities and that termination of the award is suitable.”
The state board stated within the press launch that it signed an settlement with USDA for the grant on Jan. 30. The board stated the grant would have gone to over 4,000 faculties and 1,200 little one care facilities, with $17.8 million going to varsities and $8.5 million to little one care establishments over the following three years.
A USDA spokesperson stated in an announcement that the tip of the Native Meals Buy Help Cooperative Settlement Program “isn’t an abrupt shift” and that final week, the division launched over a half a billion {dollars} for native fund buying packages.
“With 16 strong vitamin packages in place, USDA stays centered on its core mission: strengthening meals safety, supporting agricultural markets, and making certain entry to nutritious meals,” stated the assertion.
The cancellation of funding for the Illinois meals program is a part of nationwide cuts by the U.S. Division of Agriculture. Politico reported that the USDA halted about $660 million of funding for the Native Meals for Colleges Cooperative Settlement, which helped native faculties across the nation buy contemporary meals from native farmers.
The Trump administration has terminated federal contracts and slashed staffing at federal places of work since taking workplace in January. In February, billionaire Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity — which isn’t a federal company — terminated dozens of U.S. Division of Schooling contracts meant to assist training analysis. Just some days in the past, the Trump administration introduced that it’s reducing the U.S. Division of Schooling workforce by nearly half.
In Wednesday’s press launch, State Superintendent Tony Sanders known as the choice to chop the USDA grants “deeply disappointing.”
“These grants have been designed to make sure that college students in our faculties and little one care facilities have entry to contemporary, locally-sourced meals whereas additionally supporting our state’s agricultural financial system,” Sanders stated. “This funding was important to offer Illinois faculties and little one care websites with nutritious meals that gasoline studying and development.”
Nevertheless, within the press launch, the state board stated its “Native Meals for Colleges” grant for $7.4 million continues to be obtainable to varsities by Jan. 31, 2026. In line with the state board, the grant has helped over 2,000 faculties to buy meals from 138 native farms and ranches.
Samantha Smylie is the state training reporter for Chalkbeat Chicago masking college districts throughout the state, laws, particular training and the state board of training. Contact Samantha at [email protected].
