IOWA — While Iowa farmers wait to see how President Trump’s tariffs might cut into their profits, his cuts to federal aid programs are already hitting them.

For the past three years the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Local Food for Schools (LFS) and Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) programs helped Iowa food pantries and public schools purchase fresh meat, dairy, and produce from small Iowa farms.

Non-profit organizations like the Iowa Food Cooperative (IFC) called it a “win-win.”

“It was amazing to be able to support farmers in that way,” says IFC’s Hilary Burbank. “For them to be able to raise all of this amazing food and to get it to people who maybe don’t usually have access to that type of food — they made a big difference.”

The Trump administration cut those programs this year.

This will mean the pantries and schools will have a harder time buying fresh, locally-raised food. It also means small local farmers will lose a consistent stream of income.

“They were able to take some of that money and do things like add to the chicken flocks and buy more seeds,” Burbank says. “They had begun to rely on it.”

This year, the IFC will be trying to help the producers make up for the loss by leaning into a new membership campaign. Shoppers can get healthy, locally-raised food … and help the Iowans who produce it.

“It’s a great thing for producers as well because they are able to get a list of what’s been ordered instead of being at a farmer’s market and hoping that stuff is getting purchased,” Burbank explains.

A membership to the IFC costs $50, but newcomers are allowed two free orders before a membership purchase is required.

You’ll find the Iowa Food Co-Op on Franklin Avenue in Des Moines, and online.

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