Texas growers to be drastically affected by USDA cuts to food programs

Mission, TX  — As federal support for key USDA programs winds down, small-scale Texas farmers warn of the damaging effects on local agriculture, community health, and school nutrition across the state. Jesus Lozano, founder of Triple J Organics in Mission, TX, says these cuts threaten hard-earned progress that has made locally grown produce more accessible to families and students alike.

Small farms like Triple J Organics have long struggled with unpredictable markets and limited buyers. Too often, perfectly good fruit is rejected simply because it doesn’t meet rigid size standards. “It’s frustrating to see fresh, nutritious fruit left behind while families in our communities go hungry,” Lozano explained. “We grow high-quality produce, but without the right buyers, it’s wasted—and so is all the work that went into it.”

That changed with the introduction of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools (LFS) programs. Managed by the Texas Department of Agriculture, these USDA initiatives connected Texas-grown produce directly to schools and local nonprofits. But their success relied on a crucial partner: The Common Market Texas.

Unlike traditional distributors, The Common Market didn’t just cherry-pick the “perfect” produce. They purchased all sizes of citrus—because when it comes to feeding real communities, it’s about flavor, nutrition, and access, not appearance. Their distribution model brought Triple J Organics’ fruit to over 80 community sites and school districts across the state.

The results were transformative. From fall 2023 to March 2025, over 543,000 pounds of Triple J citrus reached Texans statewide. The stability provided by these programs allowed Lozano to expand operations, invest in new equipment, hire additional help, and bring his son and grandson into the family business. But just as importantly, it allowed the fruit to stay close to home.

“Our citrus wasn’t shipped off to faraway warehouses—it went to our neighbors, to kids at school, to families at clinics and churches,” Lozano said. “That’s what makes it meaningful.”

One of those schools was Lake Travis ISD, where students quickly developed a taste for local citrus. Dietitian Marissa Bell saw firsthand how the fruit impacted school nutrition: students eagerly selected Texas grapefruit and oranges from the lunch line, often choosing them first when offered a variety of produce. “Serving organic Texas citrus allowed us to teach students where their food comes from,” she said. “It sparked curiosity and helped kids get excited about eating fruits and vegetables.”

Despite the program’s proven success, both LFPA and LFS are now ending—leaving farmers, schools, and food-insecure families without the support they’ve come to rely on.

“These programs worked. And now, they’re ending. But they shouldn’t,” Lozano emphasized. “We’ve built a regional food system based on quality, trust, and shared values. Small farms are ready to lead, but we need continued investment to keep feeding Texas.”

 About The Common Market

The Common Market (TCM) was established in 2008 as a national 501(c)(3) organization that connects nutritious food from sustainable farms to local communities. They aim to improve food security and health outcomes for the most vulnerable populations, including low-income communities and communities of color, particularly children and seniors. In 2018, TCM expanded into Houston, Texas. The Common Market Texas has built a robust infrastructure that supports regional food systems across East, Central, and South Texas, generating sustainable and viable economic opportunities for more than 40 Texas-based supply chain partners, including BIPOC farmers, ranchers, and producers. To learn more, visit www.thecommonmarket.org