How Funding Freezes are Impacting Food Banks: What You Need to Know

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is located at 811 Scotch Valley Road in Hollidaysburg. Photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Residents in the area who depend on local food banks may find it harder to get fresh milk, eggs, meat, and vegetables. This change comes due to pauses in federal funding.

The Local Food Purchasing Act, which was meant to aid food banks, has stopped providing the expected $100,000 a month. This funding was crucial for essential items. Joe Arthur, the Food Bank Executive Director, expressed concern over this loss.

Another program affected is The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). It was supposed to deliver truckloads of dairy and meat products from April through July, but cancellations are already happening.

Arthur noted that the suspension of these funds is troubling. He emphasized, “These two areas are very much a concern. Those are substantial matters for us.” The Local Food Purchasing Act made up about 10% of the food bank’s monthly budget of $1 million.

Replacing these critical food items is challenging. The food bank does not receive much dairy or meat from its business donors. A nationwide avian flu outbreak has also disrupted egg supplies.

Despite these setbacks, the demand for food continues to rise. Arthur stated, “We are continuing to have the highest level of demand we’ve ever seen.”

To cope with the funding cuts, the organization is working closely with food donors for more help and encouraging food pantries to find protein alternatives. Beans, for example, can serve as a good substitute.

Arthur is hopeful that enough fresh produce can still be sourced to meet demand. He encourages those needing food assistance to visit local pantries and soup kitchens.