CNBNews

(Englewood, NJ) - Assemblywoman Shama Haider (D-Bergen), Chair of the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee, released the following statement today in response to the United States Department of Agriculture ending two federal programs that provided schools and food banks money to buy food from local farms and ranchers:

"This is yet another cruel funding cut that will only serve to harm our most vulnerable residents. These two programs were a win-win - increasing the number of fresh fruits and vegetables in our schools and food pantries, while supporting local farmers.

"Here in New Jersey and around the country, everyone deserves access to fresh produce. Not to mention that buying from local farmers is better for the environment. To say that these programs, which would have infused $1 billion into the agricultural industry, 'no longer effectuate the goals of the agency' is unconscionable. What are the goals of the US Department of Agriculture, if not to support agriculture?"