Most food banks across the nation rely on a delicate balance of federal and state funding, private donations, and partnerships with local businesses to sustain their operations. However, recent cancellations of food aid by the Trump administration have sent shockwaves through these crucial support networks. While some food banks with strong community backing have managed to cope with the cuts, many others are feeling the strain, particularly those that depend heavily on federal support.
Take the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, for instance, which sources over half of its food from federal programs and receives minimal assistance from the state. This food bank serves rural communities in Louisiana, which holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest poverty rate in the nation, according to U.S. census data. Records reveal that the Trump administration canceled 10 food orders for this organization, totaling over $400,000 worth of essential items such as pork, chicken, cheese, dried cranberries, dried plums, milk, and eggs. As a result, the food bank has struggled to keep pace with rising demand amidst a decrease in private donations. Staff members reported that while they used to distribute 25-pound packages of food, many packages shrank to about half that size over the summer.
Jayne Wright-Velez, the executive director of the food bank for the past 30 years, expressed her concern, stating, “We’re not turning people away with no food. It’s not to that point. But people are getting less food when they come to us.” The organization has attempted to bridge the gap with produce donations; however, logistical challenges in transporting and distributing fresh fruits and vegetables have led to complaints from patrons about receiving spoiled items.
A recent visit to the food bank highlighted the struggles faced by families relying on this service. Codie Dufrene, a 23-year-old who collects food for her grandfather and neighbors living in remote areas, noted that the trunk of her car, which usually would be full of food, was not as packed as it once was. She received chicken for the first time since before summer, but it came from a donation that barely compensated for the 74,000 pounds of chicken that should have arrived in June.
Dufrene expressed her gratitude for whatever food they receive, but she also highlighted the declining quality. “You can tell — they’re frozen and they’re already super, super soft,” she said, adding that her family might have to feed the cantaloupes they received to their pigs because they were no longer fit for human consumption. Wright-Velez emphasized the food bank’s commitment to safety and quality control, noting that the summer heat makes it particularly challenging to maintain the integrity of food donations. “The clock’s ticking as soon as we get the donation,” she said.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program, established in 1983, was designed to purchase surplus food from farmers and distribute it to low-income individuals. Historically, the program’s budget is renewed every five years as part of the Farm Bill. However, in 2018, the Trump administration allocated extra funds to assist farmers suffering due to retaliatory tariffs from trade disputes. This additional discretionary funding allowed food banks to serve more people, effectively doubling their financial support from the program.
Now, with the second Trump administration characterizing these funds as a “Biden-era slush fund,” a staggering $500 million that had already been allocated was cut. Though the government continues to distribute food through other facets of the program, food banks were caught off guard by these mid-year delivery cancellations, something that experienced managers say is unprecedented. With the Farm Bill set for renewal this fall, many food bank officials are anxious about the potential for further cuts that could force them to reduce the number of individuals they serve.
The need for food assistance has already outstripped available supplies, according to Shannon Oliver, director of operations at the Oregon Food Bank. “We’re having to kind of prepare for the fact that there’s just not going to be enough food, and having to be clear with setting the expectation that we’re doing everything we possibly can,” she said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not responded to inquiries regarding these funding cuts. In a letter from May addressing concerns from senators, the agency claimed it had made additional food purchases through another program and insisted that the emergency food program continues to function “as originally intended by Congress.” The letter emphasized that despite the pandemic being over, the USDA remains focused on its core mission: strengthening food security, supporting agricultural markets, and ensuring access to nutritious foods.
As food banks across the country grapple with the consequences of these cuts, the challenge of feeding vulnerable populations continues to grow, raising critical questions about the future of food assistance in America.
