Recent cuts to USDA programs, including the Local Food for Schools program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, have devastated small farms, food banks, and school nutrition programs. These cuts disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities in Bethesda, DC, and surrounding areas, where food deserts limit access to fresh and affordable food.

We call on Congress and the USDA to:

1. Fully reinstate funding for the Local Food for Schools program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement.
2. Support small farms in Bethesda, DC, and surrounding areas, enabling them to provide fresh produce to local food banks and schools.
3. Address the racial and economic inequities in food access by prioritizing investments in local food systems and policies aimed at ending food deserts in our region.

These funding cuts are devastating small farms and food banks, leaving families, schools, and communities in Bethesda and DC without the nutritious food they need. Restoring these programs is critical to ensuring food security and equity for all.

Join us in advocating for the health and well-being of our communities. Together, we can support local farmers, fight food insecurity, and create a future where everyone in Bethesda, DC, and beyond has access to fresh and affordable food.

Sign this petition today and help us make a difference!