Filed Date: June 10, 2025
Closed Date: Sept. 9, 2025
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case challenged the failure of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under the Trump Administration, to maintain a database of food assistance resources as required by law. The Healthy Meals for Healthy Americans Act of 1994 requires USDA to contract with a nongovernmental organization to create an "information clearinghouse" (as of late, including a hotline, messaging service, and website) for food assistance resources nationwide. Hunger Free America has held this contract since 2024; in that time, it has helped nearly a quarter of a million Americans find and be fed by food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and government assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC. In May 2025, USDA abruptly allowed the contract to expire; USDA did not explain this decision and had not since attempted to meet its legal requirement to maintain a food assistance clearinghouse. Plaintiff Hunger Free America challenged the USDA's actions, alleging that this failure violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
On June 10, 2025, plaintiff filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against USDA, its Secretary, the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service, and its Administrator. Plaintiff sought a declaration that defendants' termination was unlawful, a court order compelling defendants to contract with a nongovernmental organization to establish a clearinghouse, and attorneys' fees. The case was assigned to Judge James Boasberg.
On June 20, 2025, plaintiff filed their motion for a preliminary injunction (PI) to require defendants to enter into a contract with a nongovernmental organization to establish and maintain a food assistance clearinghouse. Four days later, plaintiff filed an amended complaint; the amended complaint added some factual allegations but did not add new parties, claims, or requests for relief.
On July 21, 2025, defendants submitted a required status report to the court, stating that they posted a notice seeking new contractors for the clearinghouse on June 24, 2025. Defendants additionally averred that they received 21 responses to that notice and expected to award the contract in September 2025. Defendants requested that the court order them to produce another status report in August 2025, which would include the finalized quote for the contract.
In response to defendants' status report indicating that nonprofits were being allowed to bid on a new contract for the clearinghouse, plaintiffs withdrew without prejudice their motion for a preliminary injunction. At plaintiffs' suggestion, the court ordered defendants to provide an additional status report on September 9, 2025, indicating whether the contract had been awarded.
By September 5, defendants informed plaintiffs that they secured a contract for a USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse. Plaintiffs subsequently dismissed the action without prejudice three days later.
This case is closed.
Summary Authors
Matt Petrillo (7/31/2025)
Ayah Elsheikh (10/14/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70499404/parties/hunger-free-america-inc-v-rollins/
Boasberg, James Emanuel (District of Columbia)
Early, Cormac A. (District of Columbia)
Rosenbaum, Adina H. (District of Columbia)
Zieve, Allison Marcy (District of Columbia)
Eckrote, Kaitlin Kerry (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70499404/hunger-free-america-inc-v-rollins/
Last updated Dec. 23, 2025, 1:23 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Public Benefits/Government Services
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 10, 2025
Closing Date: Sept. 9, 2025
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A nonprofit working to end hunger across the United States.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
U.S. Department of Agriculture (- United States (national) -), Federal
Food and Nutrition Service (- United States (national) -), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-01815
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Benefits (Source):
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority: