Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and a Senior Member of the House Agriculture Committee, led 38 House Democrats in a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins demanding answers after the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program was abruptly terminated without Congressional consultation or notice, harming farms and schools in communities across America, and making it harder to get healthy food into cafeterias across the country.

The letter was co-led by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME), with strong support from Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN) and Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).

“Every child in America deserves access to nutritious food as part of the school day to fuel their learning,” the lawmakers wrote. “The highly successful Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program provides just that. As you know, it helps schools across the country purchase produce from local farmers to incorporate into tasty and nutritious meals for kis, as well as provide hands-on education activities related to agriculture and nutrition. The program is good for kids, good for families, and good for farmers.”

The Members expressed alarm that USDA inappropriately terminated the program’s grants on March 24, 2025, despite being authorized and funded by Congress. “To the best of our knowledge, there was no communication or consultation with Congress prior to the termination of this Congressionally authorized and funded program, and we are deeply concerned about the impact this program cancellation will have on students, schools, and farmers in our districts,” the letter states.

They also noted the broader trend of USDA eliminating nutrition and agricultural programs, writing that: “[i]n just the past few weeks, USDA has terminated at least four programs that achieve the goals of improving health and supporting our farmers.”

The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program has awarded over $100 million in funding to 1,275 projects nationwide since 2013, with a particular focus on rural communities. The program helps schools incorporate locally grown foods into their meal programs, supports school gardens, and promotes nutrition education. In their letter, lawmakers cited USDA’s own findings that 61% of school food authorities using the program reported increased fruit and vegetable consumption among students, and 57% said it improved access to higher quality foods. They also noted that Farm to School grantees have already reached out to their offices expressing confusion and distress about how to continue their programs without support.

The letter demands a response by April 11, 2025, and asks USDA to clarify the scope of the termination, its legal authority to cancel funding, and what steps will be taken to fulfill the agency’s Congressionally mandated responsibilities.

The signed letter is available here.

The letter was signed by Representatives Becca Balint (D-VT); Nanette Barragán (D-CA); Sanford Bishop (D-GA); Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR); Julia Brownley (D-CA); Shontel Brown (D-OH); Nikki Budzinski (D-IL); André Carson (D-IN); Troy Carter (D-LA); Kathy Castor (D-FL); Angie Craig (D-MN); Sharice Davids (D-KS); Diana DeGette (D-CO); Rosa DeLauro (D-CT); Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ); Jahana Hayes (D-CT); Jared Huffman (D-CA); Seth Magaziner (D-RI); John Mannion (D-NY); April McClain Delaney (D-MD); Betty McCollum (D-MN); Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI); James McGovern (D-MA); Seth Moulton (D-MA); Brittany Pettersen (D-CO); Chellie Pingree (D-ME); Stacey Plaskett (D-VI); Mark Pocan (D-WI); Andrea Salinas (D-OR); Adam Smith (D-WA); Mark Takano (D-CA); Shri Thanedar (D-MI); Jill Tokuda (D-HI); Paul Tonko (D-NY); Lori Trahan (D-MA); Eugene Vindman (D-VA); Maxine Waters (D-CA); and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).

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