1. United States
2. S.C.
3. Letter

The cancellation of the USDA's Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs will have a significant negative impact on small farmers and vulnerable populations in South Carolina. These programs provided crucial support, guaranteeing a market for locally grown produce and distributing fresh foods to schools and food banks across the state. Their termination represents a $15.2 million hit to growers, jeopardizing their livelihoods and ability to contribute to a more resilient, decentralized food system. Farmers like Bryant Harrison and Lynn Isler have scaled up their operations relying on these programs, only to now face uncertainty about their future sales and the potential need to downsize. Margie Levine highlights the precariousness of the situation, with perishable crops leaving mere minutes to find buyers. Beyond the economic consequences, the cuts remove a vital source of healthy, local foods for schoolchildren and those facing food insecurity. While the USDA cites a desire to "return to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives," these programs were filling crucial gaps and bolstering food security. Their abrupt termination undermines the efforts of small farmers and leaves vulnerable communities with fewer fresh food options. Reconsideration of this decision is warranted to support local agriculture and ensure access to nutritious foods for all South Carolinians.