As a parent, ensuring that your child—and millions of others—gets fresh, healthy meals every day at school is essential.

But now, the USDA has canceled $1 billion in funding that allowed schools and food banks to buy from local farmers. That means fewer fresh fruits, vegetables, and nutritious meals for kids, especially those who rely on free or reduced-price lunches.

“It’s a pretty big hit, and that’s mostly fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Patti Bilbrey, director of nutrition services at the Scottsdale Unified School District in Arizona to CBS News. “It wasn’t just about keeping food costs low—it meant supporting your community and your local farmers in your state.”

Food banks are also affected, struggling to keep up with growing demand. Families in need will now have even less access to fresh, locally sourced food—just when they need it most.

And it’s not just families who are hurting. Small farmers who depended on these programs are losing a critical source of income.

This is happening while the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has parents and lawmakers across the country mobilizing for bold changes in school nutrition.

For example, in Arizona, a bill that would remove harmful additives from school lunches has passed the House, while in Texas, legislators are debating whether to ban artificial food dyes from school meals.

So why take healthy food away from kids? Why cut support for local farmers and communities?

Sign the petition to demand the USDA reinstate funding for local food in schools and food banks.

Photo: Audra Melton for The New York Times