Federal Funding Uncertainty & the Future of Local Food
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Last week's potential spending pause on federal loans and grants caused shock waves and uncertainty across the country, including around some of our work here tied to AIM’s farmers markets. While the pause was rescinded, it's been a particularly challenging time for community non-profits and agricultural organizations that receive federal funding and deliver services to benefit farmers and communities experiencing hunger.
Right now, we know that we can continue to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (CalFresh) benefits and offer Market Match at our farmers markets and Rollin’ Root mobile market. Market Match—which is jointly funded by the California Nutrition Incentive Program and the federal Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program—allows shoppers to purchase even more fresh California-grown produce at farmers markets for their nutrition and health, provides vital income for California’s small and mid-sized farmers, and stimulates rural economies – a triple win! But with an unclear future for broader programs like school meals—where 3 in 4 school districts purchase some local food during the school year— we anticipate ripple effects for local farmers and local communities if important sales channels are disrupted.
The future is unclear, but we do know the importance of action.
We encourage you to call or email your congressperson to express the importance to farmers and local communities of programs like SNAP, Market Match, and school meals.
Shop local and shop small to support producers and our planet. Find joy in local food.
Become a Friend of the Market to ensure that small, local farmers can continue to access AIM’s 9 certified farmers markets as a way of business.
You can count on AIM to continue creating a healthy, Earth-friendly, equitable local and regional food and agricultural system. We'll be in classrooms teaching the next generation how to eat for their SOUL (Seasonal, Organic, Unprocessed, Local), partnering on policy work for healthy food access and conservation, and sharing resources to invest in our small farmers and producers. There's no pause in sight for us.