Rhode Island farmers, schools, and food pantries are preparing to feel the effects of the USDA's decision to cut two federal programs that provided more than $1 billion to schools and food banks.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is cutting two federal programs that provided about $1 billion in funding to schools and food banks to buy food directly from local farms, ranchers and producers, part of what the agency said was a decision to "return to long-term,

Schools and local food banks will lose about $1.1 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the purchase of food from local farms, ranchers and producers.

The Farm-to-Fork Capital is trying to figure out how to keep giving fresh and locally grown food to people in need.

The U.S. Agriculture Department is ending two pandemic-era programs that provided more than $1 billion for schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers and