How Recent Federal Program Cuts Impact Wilmington’s Local Food Bank: A Community in Need

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Big changes are coming for local food assistance programs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has decided to cut funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Local Food Purchase Assistant Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA).

As a result, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina (CENC) will face a significant budget reduction of 30%. This funding helps the food bank buy food from local growers and small businesses. Last year, they distributed over 10 million meals, but this number could drop due to these cuts.

Beth Gaglione, the Director of Regional Development at CENC, expressed deep concern about the financial impact. “We’re looking at a loss of about $2 million in funds that we use to purchase food from local farmers,” she stated. This loss affects not just the food bank but also the 86 farmers they partner with across the state. Some farmers worry they may struggle to keep their farms running without this crucial support.

The cuts directly affect those in need. Volunteers Judy Block and Crystal Swift from the Wrightsboro United Methodist food pantry shared how crucial this support is for many people in the community. “For some families, this pantry is their only way to get food,” said Block. With less food available, the pantry may have to reduce its hours, potentially only opening every other week.

Gaglione highlighted that community members can help by volunteering or donating to the food bank. Every bit helps, especially in tough times like these.

It’s important to note that food insecurity is an ongoing issue, with recent studies indicating that about 10.5% of households in the U.S. experienced food insecurity in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This number showcases the critical need for support.

The food bank’s situation is a reminder of how vital local food programs are to the community. You can learn more about how you can support their efforts here.

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