USDA Cuts and the Future of Local Food: Andre Faul, Jr

Andre Faul, Jr. co-manages Faul Family Riverside Farm in Kentucky with his father, Andre, Sr., operating a diverse 100-acre farm that includes pasture-raised meats, eggs, shrimp, and farm-to-table services. This spring, the family faced an unexpected crisis when the USDA abruptly cut funding for the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program, which had enabled local farms to sell directly to schools. Faul had already invested in a large meat order for Oldham County Schools when the funding was pulled. To avoid waste and still feed students, the family launched a fundraiser to cover costs and donate the food. Faul is now speaking out, urging continued support for programs that strengthen local food systems and benefit both farmers and communities.