In recent months, a troubling trend has emerged at the Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha. They’ve seen huge losses in food deliveries—over 25,000 pounds of eggs, 30,000 pounds of pulled pork, and nearly 19,000 pounds of milk have gone missing. This has led to 434,000 meals being lost. These cuts stem from reductions in a federal food assistance program that historically supplied locally grown food to communities in need.
As hunger rises, especially in Nebraska, federal support is shrinking. This leaves food banks struggling to meet the increasing demand. Currently, one in seven people, and one in five children, in the Food Bank’s service area are facing food insecurity. These numbers are among the highest recorded in the food bank’s 44-year history, according to spokesperson Stephanie Sullivan.
Many people are experiencing food insecurity for the first time. Since 2019, various factors—including inflation, high rent prices, and government rollbacks—have made it harder for families to put food on the table.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) plays a crucial role in providing food. The USDA initially allocated $461.5 million for it in 2024, but a significant cut of around $500 million happened in April, leading to canceled deliveries. An investigation by ProPublica found 94 million pounds of food nationwide never reached those in need due to these cuts. These foods, which include essential items like fresh produce and dairy, are vital for healthy diets.
To put it in perspective, in fiscal year 2025, just 21% of the food supplied to the Food Bank for the Heartland came from the USDA. The nonprofit has lost about $2.78 million in government support over the past year alone. With looming cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), thousands of Nebraskans may see their benefits reduced.
Starting this month, changes to SNAP include stricter work requirements for adults aged 18 to 64 and removing eligibility for refugees and asylees. Advocacy group Nebraska Appleseed estimates these changes could affect between 10,000 and 17,000 residents negatively. Eric Savaiano from Nebraska Appleseed highlighted that most SNAP benefits are spent in local grocery stores. The loss of these funds will ripple through the local economy and deepen food scarcity for vulnerable families.
This hunger crisis isn’t just a local issue; it resonates across the nation. Earlier this year, the USDA even terminated the Household Food Security Report, arguing it was costly and redundant. As federal support dwindles, the Food Bank for the Heartland is relying on community help more than ever. Financial donations and volunteers are essential as the organization navigates these challenges.
Ultimately, the community’s response will be crucial in tackling this growing hunger crisis. Each effort counts now more than ever.
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