Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans

Copied From: AP News

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives.

The order capped the most chaotic day for the U.S. government since Trump returned to office, with uncertainty over a crucial financial lifeline causing panic and confusion among states, schools and organizations that rely on trillions of dollars from Washington.

U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked the funding freeze only minutes before it was scheduled to take effect. The administrative stay, prompted by a lawsuit brought by nonprofit groups that receive federal money, lasts until Monday afternoon. Another court hearing is scheduled that morning to consider the issue.

The White House did not immediately comment on the order, which leaves unresolved a potential constitutional clash over control of taxpayer money. Democrats who have struggled to gain a foothold during Trump’s second term unleashed on the Republican president, describing his actions as capricious and illegal.

Food Policy Council Update on Federal Freeze by President Trump

From an email from the Food Policy Council on Junuary 28, 2025

The White House Office of Management and Budget has issued a directive requiring federal agencies to temporarily pause all obligations and disbursements of federal financial assistance, effective today January 28th at 2PM (PST) / 5PM (EST). This sweeping directive includes all grants and loans while agencies conduct a review to ensure compliance with recent executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, clean energy funding, and other federal priorities. Federal agencies and programs outlined in this LIST must provide requested information by February 7th.

You can read the full memo HERE.

Articles:  Washington Post, CNN live updates. 

Resources: CLA: What can organizations do now?

Implications for Food Equity Efforts at Los Angeles Food Policy Council

This funding pause could disrupt many vital programs serving our most vulnerable communities in Los Angeles. LAFPC programs developed and implemented with federal grants, like those addressing food insecurity, equitable market access, and sustainable local food systems, may face delays in funding or operational interruptions. We are in close communication with our partners regarding potential program implications. (Please note: All activities will continue as planned until advised otherwise.)

As a collective impact organization, LAFPC is deeply concerned about how this may affect food equity initiatives, including:

  • Healthy Markets LA (HMLA): This program, funded through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), helps transform corner stores in underserved communities into hubs for healthy food access. Funding delays could jeopardize ongoing support for participating markets and their ability to serve families in need.
  • Cultivating Farmers Program: This USDA--OPPE funded initiative supports emerging farmers, particularly farmers of color, to advance local food production and equity. A pause in funding could disrupt their operations and access to resources, which are critical for building resilience in our local food system.
  • Growing Urban Agriculture: This USDA- FSA funded initiative supports urban growers across Los Angeles and Orange County in addition to the Bay Area by building bridges between urban growers and Farm Services Agency. Core activities associated with this grant include two annual outreach events, microgrant for urban growers and a 16 month paid urban grower fellowship. 
  • So Cal Food Fund: This Healthy Food Financing Initiative aims to support healthy food retail across the Southern CA region increasing access to capital through low interest loans and grants to business owners in the region.
  • Good Food Purchasing- CA Collaborative: This USDA-RFSP effort funds statewide partners working to deepen the impact of local Good Food Purchasing Policies across Los Angeles and the Bay Area while exploring state-level opportunities to advance good food procurement through state-level policies and mechanisms.
  • Farm Fresh LA: This locally grown produce distribution program, which supplies fresh produce to low-income communities through small markets, was pending a federal award to the state through the CNIP program to distribute $50,000 (5 lbs.) bundles of produce over the next three years. A funding delay could jeopardize the program’s ability to launch and expand access to fresh, healthy food in communities that need it most.  

Beyond LAFPC’s programs, other food equity and nutrition security initiatives in our region, such as emergency food distribution, nutrition assistance, and community-driven solutions, may also be at risk, creating uncertainty for organizations working on the frontlines to combat food and nutrition insecurity.

Legal and Operational Concerns

Experts are questioning whether this funding freeze is legal, as the president must provide specific justifications for deferring congressional approved spending. While the legality of this directive may be contested, its immediate implementation could leave federally funded programs across Los Angeles in limbo.

This uncertainty poses a significant threat to the communities most dependent on these programs, including low-income households, communities of color, and those experiencing food insecurity.

President Trump Issued Executive Order Freezing All Federal Loans and Grants

On January 27th President Trump issued an executive order freezing all federal loans and grants. While it's not known how long this suspension will last, numerous programs that provide financial and other assistance, including food assistance, to organizations, businesses and individuals will be possibly impacted. A list of affected programs includes SNAP (CalFresh), WIC and school meals.

Call To Action:   

CALL THE CAPITAL SWITCHBOARD

202.224.3121

To call a member of Congress at any time, you can use the number for the Capitol switchboard, 202.224.3121. 

If you don't know who your representative is, they will help you determine by your zip code. 

  1. Demand that Trump immediately rescind this order.
  2. Tell them how you and your family would be impacted by cuts to CalFresh, WIC or school meals.
  3. Ask your representative to include you on a list to get updated information. 

The California Legislature has a record number of newly elected Senators and Assemblymembers

Joining the Legislature for the first time are 29 newly elected Senators and Assemblymembers!

The Senate and Assembly will focus on bolstering California legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families.

New Assemblymembers
The following people have been elected to the state Assembly for the first time:

Assembly District 1: Heather Hadwick (R);
Assembly District 2: Chris Rogers (D);
Assembly District 6: Maggy Krell (D);
Assembly District 8: David Tangipa (R);
Assembly District 13: Rhodesia Ransom (D);
Assembly District 15: Anamarie Avila Farias (D);
Assembly District 19: Catherine Stefani (D);
Assembly District 26: Patrick Ahrens (D);
Assembly District 33: Alexandra Macedo (R);
Assembly District 36: Jeff Gonzalez (R);
Assembly District 41: John Harabedian (D);
Assembly District 43: Celeste Rodriguez (D);
Assembly District 44: Nick Schultz (D);
Assembly District 50: Robert Garcia (D);
Assembly District 52: Jessica Caloza (D);
Assembly District 53: Michelle Rodriguez (D);
Assembly District 54: Mark Gonzalez (D);
Assembly District 57: Sade Elhawary (D);
Assembly District 58: Leticia Castillo (R) or Clarissa Cervantes (D), ballots are still being counted;
Assembly District 62: Jose Luis Solache (D);
Assembly District 75: Carl DeMaio (R);
Assembly District 76: Darshana Patel (D); and
Assembly District 79: LaShae Sharp-Collins (D).

New Senators

The following people have been elected to the state Senate for the first time:


Senate District 3: Christopher Cabaldon (D);
Senate District 5: Jerry McNerney (D);
Senate District 7: Jesse Arreguin (D);
Senate District 25: Sasha Renee Perez (D); and
Senate District 35: Laura Richardson (D).

 

The following former Assemblymembers have been elected to serve in the Senate:

Senate District 1: Megan Dahle (R);
Senate District 9: Tim Grayson (D);
Senate District 23: Suzette Valladares (R);
Senate District 29: Eloise Gomez Reyes (D);
Senate District 31: Sabrina Cervantes (D);
Senate District 37: Steven Choi (R); and
Senate District 39: Akilah Weber (D).

 

 
 

HALA Food Justice Education Corner

Basic Training: Farm Bill and the Thrifty Food Plan 
 

The Farm Bill is a package of legislation passed once every five years.  There bill has a direct impact on agriculture, food systems, and consumers.

It covers programs ranging from crop insurance for farmers to healthy food access for low-income families.

The Farm Bill has different sections, known as titles, that can change over time. The last Farm Bill had 12 titles.

Out of those 12 titles, Title Four is the most relevant for anti-hunger advocates.

The Nutrition title covers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as well as a variety of smaller nutrition programs to help individuals and families with low incomes afford food.
Farm Bill Fact Sheet
 

What is the Thrifty Food Plan?

The USDA determines SNAP benefit allotments based on the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which is the lowest cost of the four USDA food plans. Fortunately, due to the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill (H.R. 2), the USDA is mandated to review the TFP every 5 years to reassess the cost of food, nutritional content, dietary guidance, and the eating habits of Americans.

Even after the TFP reevaluation, SNAP benefits still average only $6 per person per day, which is barely enough for a cup of coffee.

During the pandemic, SNAP benefits were raised, and that helped families to buy more food and therefore be able to also pay the rent and other bills with less stress. Those emergency allotments (also called EAs) ended in March of 2023, and since then hunger has intensified. It’s important to strengthen critical food benefits for households facing hunger.

The current maximum SNAP benefit levels still fall short of the cost of low-income meals in 98% of California counties.

Most Americans agree that we should increase SNAP allotments to reflect current nutrition guidance and changing food costs.

The Closing the Meal Gap Act H.R. 3037 (Adams) / S. 1336 (Gillibrand) aims to improve SNAP benefit adequacy by permanently adopting the Low-Cost Food Plan, raising the minimum allotment (currently a meager $23 a month), and removing the shelter cap that harms rent-burdened Californians.