LFPA Funding canceled by the federal government:

Two months ago, we received word that the LFPA 2025 (WI Local Food Purchase Assistance Program) was being cancelled by the USDA.

“The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP received a letter on March 7, 2025, from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) that the federal government is canceling the Local Food Purchase Assistance 2025 program, also known as LFPA25. The USDA AMS notice stated that LFPA25 does not fit with current agency priorities.”

In other words, feeding the community, combating food insecurity, and making sure our communities don’t go to bed hungry, are not priorities for the current administration.

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Since the program began in 2023, the LFPA has supported:

*289 Wisconsin Growers (including veggie producers, meat, egg, dairy, honey and more). BIPOC, women, and beginner growers were especially supported on a large scale. Farmers were paid fairly to grow for this program.

*72 of 72 Wisconsin Counties have been Served

*254 Food Access Partners Received Deliveries.

*4.23 Million in products were delivered to the community, providing farm-fresh food to countless individuals who would not otherwise have had access to fresh, nutritious food.

*261 different Types of Products were delivered and distributed throughout Wisconsin.

Last year, we provided approximately $4,500 worth of produce and pickled items to Tricklebee Cafe. The previous year, we provided approximately $3,000 worth of produce and value added items to Hunger Task Force.

This year, our 2025 contract included 10 CSA shares going to Tricklebee Cafe for 16-weeks ($4,500 value) as well as $3,000 worth of additional produce, herbs, pickled items, and jams that we produce. Our contract was for just under $8,000 and we are one of the smaller contracts in Wisconsin. We spent the winter planning out our farm for the season with growing for Tricklebee Cafe being a priority for us.

Additionally, we have planned (and are still providing) around $2,000 worth of starter plants for Nourish Food Pantry.

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This news came after what feels like week after week of bad news being given to us. We have spent the last two months digesting the funding that has been cut nationally for farmers and food justice and figuring out a way to pivot. We know that we are not alone and we are not giving up.

We are planning, meeting and rallying together both with our tiny little farm fam, our larger farm community, and amongst other farmers in Wisconsin to continue to fight for food security in our community and in this country.

We have decided to launch a new Givebutter campaign to try to community raise the $7,500 to be able to still fulfill our contract for the Tricklebee Cafe.

Any funds raised beyond that amount, will be used to donate additional produce, herbs and pickled items/jams and herbal products to our Milwaukee Community.

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Read a little bit more about Tricklebee Cafe and why we love them below!

Tricklebee Cafe

http://tricklebeecafe.org/

Our Mission

Tricklebee Café is a pay-what-you-can community café that offers healthy meals, food-service training, and spiritual nourishment. We are a ministry of the Moravian Church in America.

What We Offer

We offer a space to foster community, connections, goodwill, and a love for real food with simple ingredients. By offering an inclusive and welcoming space, we bring health, positivity, and peace to our neighborhood.

Our Vision

By providing fresh, healthy, locally-grown food to anyone regardless of ability to pay, we address food insecurity by feeding the immediate need of hunger, while providing resources to educate and inspire people to make a habit of healthy eating. Access to healthy food helps people to better care for themselves and their neighbors, which heals and strengthens community.

Support Food Justice!

By Full Circle Healing Farm UA

Support Food Justice!

Team Members