Tell Congress to Restore Critical Funding for Farmers & Food Shelves!

I am reaching out to urge you to take immediate action to restore critical federal funding that has been frozen following former President Trump’s executive order, including the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) grant. This funding is essential for farmers in Minnesota, especially BIPOC, immigrant, and beginning farmers, who depend on these resources to sustain their operations, grow local food, and contribute to our state’s food system.

As spring approaches and farmers are starting to make planting decisions, purchasing seeds and finding their markets for the growing seasons - a freeze in these funds has caused chaos and turmoil for farmers across the state.

These frozen funds are reimbursement-based grants, meaning many farmers have already used their own money to invest in their businesses and fulfill grant requirements with the expectation that they would be reimbursed. Now, with these funds on hold, they risk not getting paid back for the work they’ve already done.

This funding freeze also impacts food shelves that depend on partnerships with local farmers to provide nutritious food to families in need. Additionally, it puts The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) at risk, as funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) plays a crucial role in supporting food banks and food shelves across Minnesota. If Congress does not take action to help restore federal funding, both farmers and the people they feed will suffer.

I urge you to help advocate for farmers and food shelves in our state and put pressure on the administration to restore USDA funding and honor the contracts and work that was granted to hardworking farmers and organizations across Minnesota.

Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter.