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SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – Students in the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District will soon see changes in their school meals due to federal funding cuts that impact food programs nationwide. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has canceled key agreements that supported food purchases for schools and childcare centers, including the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement. These cuts will have direct consequences for SEBRSD’s food services, affecting both meal quality and access to fresh, local produce.
Dr. Paul Haughey, Superintendent of Schools, confirmed that district officials have been monitoring the situation closely.
“Like many in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Universal Food Program provides necessary meals (breakfast and lunch) to our students who otherwise would not eat,” Dr. Haughey said. “To remove this necessary program unilaterally without some sort of process or review of the needs just seems inhumane.”
Ashley Chevrette, SEBRSD’s Food Services Department Director, expressed deep concern about the impact these funding cuts will have on students and local food vendors.
“This news has been incredibly disheartening not only as a Food Service Director, but as a human,” Chevrette said. “Over the last few years, this grant has allowed us to source fresh and local produce from farms, growers, and food hubs that were previously cost-prohibitive. Cutting out this funding does not only hurt the program financially, but it also hurts students by reducing access to fresh food and negatively impacts the local economy.”
While the effects may not be immediate, SEBRSD officials anticipate a reduction in fresh produce options for students. Without the grant, the district will rely more heavily on canned fruits and vegetables to meet nutrition guidelines.
“Right now, we are able to provide a larger selection of fresh and local whole fruit and vegetables,” Chevrette explained. “With the loss of this funding, students will see a higher use of canned items, specifically fruit. Because we are part of the National School Lunch Program, we must follow the Buy American Clause, which prohibits purchasing food from outside of the U.S. This limits the types of fruits we can offer.”
State Senator Peter Durant also weighed in on the issue, acknowledging the impact of the USDA’s decision but questioning the state’s response. While he expressed concern over the loss of $1 billion in federal funding, he noted that Massachusetts’ share of $12 million is relatively small compared to the state’s overall budget. He argued that the funding gap could easily be filled at the state level if leadership chose to prioritize it.
Dr. Haughey and Chevrette emphasized that proper nutrition is essential for student learning, and the district is actively exploring ways to mitigate the impact of these cuts.
“A hungry student struggles to learn and focus on what they need to know,” Dr. Haughey said. “Simply put, a hungry student cannot learn.”
To adapt to these changes, SEBRSD is reallocating funds to continue providing nutritious meals. Chevrette has shifted resources to purchase produce through the Department of Defense and plans to take advantage of a new Massachusetts state purchasing agreement for next year.
“I will do my best to make this transition as seamless as possible,” she said.
District officials will continue monitoring the situation and exploring alternative funding sources to support student nutrition. As the federal cuts take effect, SEBRSD leaders remain committed to ensuring that all students have access to healthy meals, despite the challenges ahead.
