Old Rochester affected by federal funding cuts for school food, childcare programs

ROCHESTER — The Trump Administration cancelled more than $12 million in federal funding that provided healthy food to local schools and child care programs in Massachusetts through the Northeast Food for Schools program.

Old Rochester Regional School District is among the districts who received grant funding from Northeast Food for Schools.

Northeast Food for Schools gave schools financial assistance to purchase healthy food from local farmers and businesses, helping stimulate the regional economy.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received a notice on Friday, March 7 from the United States Department of Agriculture that claimed termination of the grant funding “is appropriate” due to the cause no longer aligning with federal priorities.

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have declared that feeding children and supporting local farmers are no longer ‘priorities,’ and it’s just the latest terrible cut with real impact on families across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “There is nothing ‘appropriate’ about it.”