[Jacob Clark]

As of last week Nebraska’s is still active. I will know more tomorrow.

[Natalie Loots]

Have any state agencies been able to draw funds past 1/19. We (Utah) were told we could only submit claims prior to 1/19.

[Ian Hester]

No guidance from USDA on funds past 1/19/2025

[Naomi Hansen]

Hi Andy, Our LFPP (California) is frozen for anything post 1/19 as well.

[Andy Ollove]

Is anyone able to share specific written email language that they’ve seen between USDA and their contracted state agency explaining the funding freeze?

[Makala Bach]

The LFPA program in Illinois was suspended as of today. Here is our official press release: https://www.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/illinois/iisnewsattachments/30996-030425-3.4.25—doa-press-release—final.pdf.pdf

[Natalie Loots]

Thanks for sharing Makala- was Illinois specifically told by USDA they would not process funding after 1/19? We were just told they were not allowed to discuss it.

[Makala Bach]

This is all I know: “Without explanation, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed states that it was ceasing reimbursements for any costs incurred after January 19, 2025.”

[Andrew]

Sorry to hear this Makala. Thanks for sharing the press release. It is good to see the state leadership responding.

[Jayme Chester]

@mbach Thanks for the Press release share…. interesting that they included the RFSI program on this press release. I know most folks on here are with the LFPA, but has anyone heard more about the RFSI programs in their states?
Not sure what @bonniemurphy and @mlorencz have heard this week on our LFPA?

[Bonnie Murphy]

No updates from our NM state department managing the funds as of yesterday…so we are carrying on with bated breath. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, like Arizona (which is also in our USDA service region).

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 4 days ago by  Bonnie Murphy. Reason: Spelling and punctuation

[Kelli Kelly]

Our RFSI program in Nevada is frozen. No clear answer about whether it is temporary or permanent.

RFBC has been told that the USDA is only processing reimbursements through 1/19

RFSP and TOPP projects are not receiving reimbursements past 1/19.

[OKC Food Hub]

Interesting. We also had an LFPP which was in its 3rd year of three which is also not currently reimbursing for anything past 1/19. Our grants manager told us this verbally but we have no information on if it will continue or anything else. It seems crazy that everything would end abruptly like this after already being promised…

[Sarah McIlvennie]

Thank you to all the states for sharing your updates. For Nebraska and I think also New Mexico (in a previous thread) who have been active in the past month – could you share what active has looked like? Able to claim and receive funds from the USDA? In contact with your USDA program managers?

Sending thanks from VT!

[Sarah McIlvennie]

One more question would be – have any states received direct communication from USDA that was NOT tied to the submission of a reimbursement claim? Or are folks finding out about the 1/19 pause after trying to pull down funds for 1/20 and onward?

[Andy Ollove]

the latter. our state agency only learned after submitting invoice

[Andy Ollove]

can current LFPA contractors with freezes drop your contact info into this thread, we’re working towards a dear colleague letter to go out and in search of a red state / red congressional sign on ?

also if folks would be interested in a group call tomorrow, I can set something up

[Parker Filer]

We haven’t received official word from our state partner, here in Arizona, but based on this thread…I am assuming it is only a matter of time. Thanks to all who have shared -and are sharing- info and actions emanating from their states. It is super helpful and encouraging to see how others are responding and finding support from farmers, community, and representatives.

[Giselle Bruskewitz]

Here is the key messaging we received in Iowa on Feb 20, 2025:

We wanted to provide an update regarding the Local Food Purchasing Assistance 2022 (LFPA22) Program.

At this time, USDA has provided that they are currently processing reimbursements for costs incurred for activities performed on or prior to January 19, 2025.

…

We continue to seek clarity for costs incurred on or after January 20, 2025 but have not received guidance as of yet.

We will continue to share updates as soon as we learn more. Thank you for your patience.

[Susan Lightfoot Schempf]

I’m so sorry y’all, this is just the absolute worst. @andyollove thank you for rallying and calling folks together. The mixed messaging is extremely frustrating. The team at NSAC is also tracking this and strategizing around advocacy. Might be helpful to all get on a call together? We’re pretty open tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon from 2-5 CST.

[Makala Bach]

Hi Susan and Andy – Illinois LFPA is interested in joining the call. What time?

[Natalie Loots]

We would be interested in joining a call.

[Sarah McIlvennie]

I would also be interested in joining a call – I’m so sorry to hear about what folks are experiencing.

[Timothy Schoonhoven]

Interested from SD.

[Heidi Coe]

Yep. I have a couple other meetings tomorrow afternoon, but if the timing works, I’d love to join. Thanks for pulling this together

[Valley Roots Food Hub]

Valley Roots Food Hub (Colorado), we work with a non profit and a food bank that manages the LFPA grant money and we have been frozen as well.

[Michelle Dill]

Iowa is frozen – we were notified on Feb 20th.
Farm Table Food Hub is holding $40k worth of inventory for LFPA that is starting to go bad – the quantity on hand is too much to move intime.

While small compared to some, this is putting extreme stress on our organization.

[Liz Stelk]

I’m sorry to hear this, and know you’re not alone.

In IL, we’re bringing together the major local food purchasers (aggregators and direct to consumer sales, etc) to coordinate how to move product that was supposed to be sold through LFPA. The hope is to increase sales in existing market channels (buyers buy more) and to open new market channels (new buyers that we hope will make lasting relationships to buy local food).

We are reviving the coordination and skills that helped farmers move product in March 2020 when restaurants, schools, and institutions stopped purchasing local food.

[Susan Lightfoot Schempf]

Thank you everyone for contributing to this thread! And to Andy for getting it going. We just spoke and connected a few dots and agreed that a national call is urgently needed.

Let’s get together tomorrow, Thursday March 6 at 3 EST / 12 PT to do some quick sensemaking and strategizing on collective action. Mike Lavender, Policy Director at National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, will join and offer a sketch for a plan of action – looking at how we can pressure USDA, Congress, and the public at large.

Please register for the call here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/h5_J9oICQL68FJWKl7pQGQ

We are going to manually approve registrations for community safety. The meeting with NOT be recorded so please send a rep if you can’t attend!

us02web.zoom.us

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: LFPA Funding Freeze - Strategy & Action Call. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: LFPA Funding Freeze - Strategy & Action Call. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.