SPRINGFIELD — The Trump Administration on March 7 canceled funding to the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement that would have supported up to 4,017 Illinois public and nonpublic schools and 1,250 child care sites in purchasing high-quality, locally-grown, fresh food from Illinois farmers to use in meals and snacks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a termination notice to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for the grant program that would have provided $26.3 million to Illinois schools, child care sites, and local farmers through 2028.
“Donald Trump and Republicans are taking money out of Illinois farmers’ pockets, giving it to billionaires for tax breaks, and throwing away locally-grown, nutritious food that helps keep our kids fed at school,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois will continue working to ensure our students have the resources they need to learn and grow in a healthy environment, but the Trump Administration is constantly undermining that goal.”
“The decision to cancel this funding is deeply disappointing and a disservice to Illinois children, families, and farmers,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “These grants were designed to ensure that students in our schools and child care centers have access to fresh, locally-sourced food while also supporting our state’s agricultural economy. This funding was essential to provide Illinois schools and child care sites with nutritious meals that fuel learning and growth.”
The Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement grant was the second round of funding for the Local Food for Schools program, expanded to allow for the participation of child care centers. ISBE signed its agreement for $26.3 million on January 30, but the funds will now never reach Illinois schools and farmers. Schools would have received approximately $17.8 million and child care institutions would have received approximately $8.5 million over the course of the next three years to purchase high-quality, fresh, and nutritious food from local farmers to use in the meals and snacks served to children.
Illinois’ pre-existing Local Food for Schools grant totaling $7.4 million remains intact, and the funds are available to grantees through January 31, 2026. The existing grant has supported approximately 2,100 schools serving over 1 million students in purchasing locally-grown food from 138 different farms and ranches across the state.
