“Food banks face $500 million cut as creative solutions emerge”
In the warehouse of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida on March 25, volunteer Alfred Delio is busy packing boxes of food. As President Donald Trump’s administration aims to reduce government spending to combat inflation, programs that provide nutritious and affordable food are at risk of being cut. Two crucial U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, one supporting local farm-fresh foods for school cafeterias and another that supplies food banks, have been slashed for 2025, totaling more than $1 billion in cuts. Among the reductions, $660 million was taken from school food programs, while $500 million specifically designated for food banks and domestic agriculture was trimmed from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) branch of the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
The news of these cuts has sent shockwaves through food banks nationwide, as they were relying on the $500 million to feed millions of families and individuals facing hunger this year. These funds are crucial for purchasing food within the domestic supply chain, and many food bank orders have now been canceled as a result.
TODAY.com reached out to nine regional food banks and Feeding America to understand the impact of these changes on those who depend on this food support. The numbers paint a stark picture of the consequences: the Food Bank of South Jersey relies on the USDA for 20% of its food, while the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C., depends on 25-30% of its food supply, which equates to around 14 million meals. The Food Bank for the Heartland estimates it will struggle to reach over 1.6 million individuals and nearly 600,000 households this year due to the reduced federal funding.
For example, the cuts mean that the Great Plains Food Bank will lose approximately $1.3 million worth of food, including items like eggs, pulled pork, turkey breast, cheddar cheese, canned chicken, dried cranberries, and frozen chicken legs. Food Bank of Iowa faced the cancellation of 16 truckloads, comprising nearly 400,000 pounds of food, with additional deliveries in question.
Annette Hacker, VP of strategy and communications at Food Bank of Iowa, expressed uncertainty about the future impact of the cancellations, stating that the food bank had already spent an estimated $1.12 million from April to July to offset the losses, but it would not be enough. Similarly, Feeding Tampa Bay was set to provide around 100 million meals this year, with CCC funding accounting for about 20% of their operations.
Million, CEO Thomas Mantz says, “I don’t believe we will lose everything. I want to be clear on that. We don’t want to exaggerate the situation, but that’s the scale of the partnership.” There is still much uncertainty surrounding this issue. Mantz explained that the information his team and colleagues received from D.C. was not entirely clear. However, he remains hopeful that things will improve with time.
Mantz expressed, “We are still not fully aware of the impact that this situation may have.” Many of the canceled shipments were not expected to arrive until later in April or May. Representatives mentioned that it would be extremely challenging to make up for the lost food through donations or private funding due to the significant gap. “Philanthropy alone cannot compensate for this loss,” Mantz stated.
While some privately funded food banks are not heavily reliant on USDA funds, others have been affected by the cuts. Beth Martino, CEO of Three Square Food Bank in Southern Nevada, emphasized the broader impact of these reductions, affecting not only those facing hunger but also the suppliers and businesses providing fresh produce to the region.
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is a discretionary fund that administrations can allocate as needed. In recent years, it has helped food banks acquire more food and support American farmers. Mantz praised the CCC as a successful public-private partnership that benefits both the farming community and those in need. This program enables individuals to access healthy food, which is crucial for their well-being.
TEFAP comprises three monetary components, including the entitlement fund and Section 32 Bonus Product. The USDA approved bonus spends for certain products, such as vegetables, fruits, and tree nuts. Some food banks received bonus offers at the end of March and beginning of April, allowing them to acquire goods without dipping into their entitlement funds. These bonus products play a vital role in supporting the market and ensuring a consistent food supply for those in need.
Despite the challenges posed by these cuts, Mantz highlighted the broader implications, such as reduced food availability, decreased federal support for farmers, and potential long-term negative health outcomes for individuals lacking access to nutritious food.
Sarah F. Geiger, senior director of programs and services at the Food Bank of South Jersey, explains to TODAY.com that the number of people they are serving has continued to grow during the pandemic. Both individuals and companies have had less money to donate, making USDA funds crucial for their operations over the past few years. With the demand for food banks on the rise, reducing their resources would be harmful to helping hungry neighbors.
Geiger describes the current demand levels as “unprecedented” and unsustainable since the pandemic began, especially for working families who do not qualify for SNAP benefits. In Florida, where wages tend to be lower due to industries like tourism and leisure, the need for food assistance has been steadily increasing. Radha Muthiah, CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank, notes that the reduction in resources means individuals seeking help may receive less food and a limited variety compared to previous years.
Food banks have been able to offer fresh, nutritious produce through programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, which helps support local farmers and provide healthier options to those in need. However, recent cuts in funding have put these initiatives at risk, impacting millions of households across the country. Feeding America reports that hunger disproportionately affects children and those in rural areas, with many rural counties relying heavily on USDA programs for food assistance.
The impact of these cuts will be felt more significantly in rural areas, where access to nutritious food is already limited. Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, emphasizes that rural communities in her state will be particularly affected by the loss of resources. This highlights the importance of continued support and funding for food banks to ensure that all individuals have access to healthy and sufficient food.
“The cost of addressing rural hunger is significantly higher,” Hall states. “It entails transporting smaller amounts of food over much greater distances to reach smaller rural communities.”
Moving forward, numerous food banks we have engaged with have mentioned that part of their strategy involves engaging with local elected officials to ensure that policymakers grasp the implications of the decisions being made. Many are optimistic that these dialogues will result in reversals or alternative decisions to rectify the funding cuts.
“These individuals are not distant figures. They are our neighbors, colleagues, potential customers, friends, and community members,” Mantz emphasizes. “Chances are, if you are reading this, we are assisting someone you know — and we are proud to do so.”
Nearly all of the individuals we have spoken to nationwide express that an ideal future includes a robust bipartisan farm bill, a measure they have been eagerly anticipating for years.
“It must encompass substantial investments in agriculture and nutrition programs such as SNAP and TEFAP,” Geiger advocates.
Hall also underscores the significance of a bipartisan bill as a crucial next step.
With food banks already under strain, Geiger warns that making cuts like these is not a viable solution, labeling programs like SNAP and TEFAP as “vital” for a “well-functioning society.”
She continues, “I believe people overlook how swiftly we could find ourselves in the same position as those we serve.”
