URBANA, Ill. (WICS) — The Trump administration's funding cuts have ended the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program in Illinois.

Farmers say the decision was a shock, cutting vital support for their businesses and communities.

“And he called me up and said, Ed, you don't know how much this means to me. I'm sorry to be emotional here but he says I finally feel like I'm being a good father for my kids, because I haven't been able to give them the foods that they deserve and the food that they need and tonight I'm able to do that because of you because of this program.” Said Ed Bubrick, co-owner and farmer, of DuChick Ranch.

Ed Bubrick, a farmer at DuChick Ranch, says about 50% of his chicken and egg production went to this program, helping support the Eastern Illinois Foodbank and Central Illinois Foodbank.

“On a Tuesday, I called one of the food banks that we were working with and said. I'm taking the chickens to the locker tomorrow. I want to verify we're still good to go. they said, yep, we're good to go. Wednesday morning, I hauled those chickens, had them processed for them. Thursday afternoon, I received a phone call saying we have to stop all purchases.” Said Ed Bubrick, co-owner and farmer, of DuChick Ranch.

Amanda Borden with the Eastern Illinois Foodbank says the funding cut will affect their mobile distribution program.

Borden says the food bank didn’t rely on the program for long-term resources.

"Cutting funds for these programs is a slap in the face to Illinois farmers and the communities they feed," "The Trump administration's refusal to release grant funds doesn't just hurt farmers in the program, it devastates our most vulnerable, food-insecure communities relying on meat, fresh produce, and other nutritious donations.”

The director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, along with key stakeholders from farming, research institutions, and food banks, met with lawmakers Tuesday to discuss these federal funding cuts and tariffs.