Federal Funding Unfrozen for IL-EATS Program Farmer Reimbursements
Future Funding of Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program Remains Terminated
After a series of Trump administration cuts and freezes to USDA-administered farm programs, we have finally learned about one action that will provide some relief.
It involves the IL-EATS program, funded by the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement, that was abruptly terminated in early March, putting many farmers and other program participants at financial risk.
The two Illinois state agencies that administered IL-EATS — were informed last week that the USDA had lifted the freeze on reimbursements for program activities undertaken since January 19 (the day before the change in the presidency).
Information from both agencies indicated that with this federal action, they have determined that there is sufficient funding for IL-EATS to continue its program activities through the program's scheduled expiration date of June 30 (the end of Illinois' fiscal year).
Nonetheless, the future of LFPA and other valuable programs in the conservation and farm-to-school areas continues to look bleak.
Get the update in this Local Food Forum article.
Join Local Food Forum for an April 17 Panel on Humane Supply Chain
Live Event to Take Place at DePaul University's Downtown Chicago Campus
Local Food Forum is pleased to partner with the Crate Free USA non-profit on "The Business Case for a More Humane Supply Chain" — a live panel event that will take place on Thursday, April 17 at DePaul University's downtown Chicago campus (25 East Jackson Boulevard, Room 341). The program runs from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The event, free to attend is hosted by DePaul's Center for Animal Law. Crate Free USA is a farm animal welfare non-profit that is focused on supporting local farmers, improving welfare of animals on factory farms, and educating students of all ages about the humane treatment of animals raised for food.
If you can’t make it in person, you can register to watch the event online.
Bob Benenson, publisher of Local Food Forum, will moderate the panel.
Get all the details in this Local Food Forum article, and please join us.