By West Seattle Food Bank

For many children in West Seattle, school meals are not just a convenient option—they are a lifeline as their main source of nutrition. But the recent USDA cuts to school meal funding and local food purchasing programs will make it harder for thousands of students to get the nutrition they need, while also dealing a devastating financial blow to local farmers who relied on those programs.

On March 10, 2025, the USDA announced the immediate termination of the Local Food for Schools (LFS) program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program, cutting over $1 billion that supported school meals and food banks. The now-canceled $660 million in LFS funding would have helped schools buy fresh, local food for students—but that money is gone.

What This Means for West Seattle Kids

Schools in West Seattle—including Chief Sealth International High School, Denny International Middle School and West Seattle Elementary—rely on federal funding to provide universal free meals to students under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This program ensures that all students, regardless of income, can access school meals without stigma or financial hardship.

But with the USDA’s new rule increasing the percentage of low-income students a school must have to qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)—from 25% to 60%—many schools will lose their ability to provide free meals to all students, even if a significant portion of their population relies on them. Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in children's mental health, with well-nourished children exhibiting improved academic performance with better mood, behavior, and cognitive function.

Hundreds of thousands of children in Washington—especially struggling working-class families just above the eligibility line—will now have to pay for school meals they previously received for free, or go without.WSFB already provides 400+ weekend food backpacks every week, totaling over 9,000 per school year, to support students who rely on school meals. With fewer free meals available during the week, more children will need food assistance, putting additional strain on food banks like ours.

The Cuts Also Hurt Local Farmers

The Local Food for Schools (LFS) and Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) programs weren’t just about feeding kids—they also kept local farmers in business. These programs allowed school districts and food banks to buy fresh produce, dairy, and meat directly from local farms, strengthening our regional food system and ensuring kids received nutritious, high-quality meals. In December 2024, the USDA had announced a $1.13 billion investment to continue these programs into 2025, recognizing their role in enhancing food supply resilience and supporting localeconomies. The recent decision to terminate the programs reverses this commitment, leaving many agencies and farmers unprepared for the abrupt funding cessation.

With these programs completely defunded, many farmers who had contracts with schools and food banks will lose one of their largest revenue streams. This means not only fewer healthy meals for kids but also a financial crisis for small farmers across Washington.

What We Can Do Now

These cuts are final, but our community can step up to protect schoolchildren and local farmers.

• Support WSFB’s Backpack Program & Fresh Food Fund

The West Seattle Food Bank will see increased demand for weekend food backpacks and fresh produce. Donate today to help us continue providing healthy, local food to children and families.

• Buy Local & Advocate for Farm-to-Table Programs
• Support the farmers who lost funding by shopping at farmers markets, joining a CSA, or encouraging local businesses to source from regional farms. Keeping money in our local food system will help farmers recover.
• Contact state legislators and advocate for increased state funding to keep kids fed, regardless of shifting USDA policies. With federal funding gone, Washington state must act to ensure free meals continue. West Seattle can lead the way in making sure no child goes hungry.
• Donate, support local farmers, and take action today at westseattlefoodbank.org.

A leader in food security for more than 3 decades, West Seattle Food Bank serves over 25,000 people annually with food assistance, emergency rent and utility assistance, free clothing and more.