Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic changed life for many, hunger remains a significant issue for many people in Sacramento. The local food bank, Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, is serving an astonishing 310,000 clients each month—more than double the number before the pandemic.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) halted federal funding for food banks, which has caused anxiety and uncertainty. The Sacramento Food Bank was expecting 11 truckloads of food, totaling 400,000 pounds, which are now on hold. Overall, 330 truckloads across the state are affected. This impact is particularly severe for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, which is waiting for 90 truckloads of supplies.
The delays come after promises made during the Biden administration, which had initiated bonus food orders for food banks. Now, food assistance programs face cuts from both the federal government under new leadership and the state of California, which is grappling with a budget deficit after a period of financial surplus during 2020 and 2021.
Assemblymember Gregg Hart, who is part of the budget committee, emphasized the tough choices lawmakers face. “Every single thing that we could talk about has a federal funding connection that’s in jeopardy,” he said. His words highlight that state funds need to be carefully allocated among various critical programs, including healthcare, education, and food assistance.
As demand for food increases, personal stories illustrate the situation. Antoinette Turner, a 61-year-old retiree, started visiting the food bank for the first time after health issues forced her to leave her job. “It makes my life easier,” she said, as she navigated a line of volunteers handing out canned goods and frozen meat.
The USDA recently ended a program that helped food banks and tribal governments buy local produce, which provided California’s food banks with over $80 million since 2022. With the latest budget proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom cutting state funding for food assistance programs drastically from $60 million to just $8 million, food banks are bracing for tough times ahead.
Inflation is compounding these challenges. In 2022, food prices soared nearly 24% over 2020 levels, prompting many clients to turn back to food banks even as job markets began to recover.
Local farmers are also feeling the pinch. Grants allowed them to invest in improvements that help them meet the needs of food banks. Megan Kenney from the North Coast Growers Association noted that farmers are concerned about sustaining their operations without federal backing.
As we look to the future, the challenges for food banks and communities grow more complex, highlighting the critical need for support and collaboration among various stakeholders to fight hunger effectively.
Check out this related article: How Federal Cuts Impact Bucks County Food Aid: Gov. Shapiro’s Fight for Local Support – NewtownPANow.com
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