The Trump administration has canceled a $26.3 million grant intended to help Illinois schools and child care facilities purchase locally grown food, affecting over 4,000 schools and 1,250 child care centers.
The US Department of Agriculture notified the Illinois State Board of Education that the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement, which was set to expire in 2028, would be terminated.
Governor JB Pritzker criticized the decision, saying, “Donald Trump and Republicans are taking money out of Illinois farmers’ pockets, giving it to billionaires for tax breaks, and throwing away locally-grown, nutritious food that helps keep our kids fed at school.”
Dr. Tony Sanders, the State Superintendent of Education, expressed his disappointment, saying, “The decision to cancel this funding is deeply disappointing and a disservice to Illinois children, families, and farmers.”
The grant represented the second round of funding for the Local Food for Schools program, which had been expanded to include child care centers.
The funds were intended to provide $17.8 million to schools and $8.5 million to child care facilities over three years for the purchase of fresh, nutritious food from local farmers.
Despite the cancellation, Illinois’ existing Local Food for Schools grant of $7.4 million remains available to grantees through January 31, 2026, supporting approximately 2,100 schools and over 1 million students.
