(CNN) – The U.S. Agriculture Department has cut two programs that provided money for schools and food banks to buy food from local farmers.
Roughly $660 million was earmarked for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program. The program helps states buy domestic local food for school and childcare facilities, according to the USDA’s website.
The rest of the money was earmarked for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. The program helps state governments buy food produced within the states “to help support local, regional and underserved producers,” according to the USDA’s website.
That food helps feeding programs like food banks and other organizations that reach underserved communities.
The ending of these programs will suspend more than $1 billion in federal spending.
Some officials have already voiced opposition to the announcement of the cuts, including the Iowa Food System Coalition and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey.
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