USDA Reports Drop in Federal Food Assistance Spending

Spending declined overall in 2025, though WIC and child nutrition programs increased.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Federal spending on food and nutrition assistance fell again in 2025, continuing its decline from pandemic-era highs.

USDA reports spending totaled nearly $148 billion, down 1% from the previous year and, after adjusting for inflation, 31% below the 2021 peak.

SNAP accounted for nearly $102 billion, also down 1%. Meanwhile, spending on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) rose 3%, while child nutrition program spending increased slightly to $32.5 billion.

Related Stories
Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council, discussed the USDA funding and its potential value for potato growers and the broader specialty crop industry.
Stronger export and crush demand could help offset pressure from USDA’s record yield forecast.
New systems could give producers easier electronic access to acreage records and federal loan information.
Farm income climbed in 2025, but high production expenses continued to limit gains for producers.
USDA and the FTC are asking producers to share firsthand experiences with equipment sales and repair restrictions.
USDA found more bushels in this year’s crop as harvest gets underway.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Livestock shows and FFA exhibits give visitors an up-close look at the state’s agriculture industry.
Weather and production challenges are creating uncertainty around two key ingredients.
Ison’s Nursery and Vineyard has been growing muscadines for more than 90 years.
Some dryland fields are being lost after months of challenging weather.
Disruptions in Russia and the Middle East cut diesel exports by 1.3 million barrels a day last month.
Fausett Farms has become a seasonal agritourism destination.
Reduced yields have some producers considering rotating their alfalfa fields.
More than 25,000 visitors head to Pumpkin Hollow each year for fall activities.
The expansion comes as Washington confirms bird flu in dairy cattle for the first time.
Analysts say it could be two years before measurable herd growth is seen.
GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says details remain unclear on how the proposed shipments would work.
Cade Fiske shares how his time in FFA shaped his path to becoming an agriculture teacher.