BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) Food Bank is facing tough times due to big funding cuts to USDA programs, which is making it harder to feed the community. Last year, CAPK delivered around 22 million pounds of food, and nearly half came from a program that was recently cut.
Kelly Lowery, who manages programs at CAPK, pointed out a troubling contradiction. Despite Kern County being one of the top agriculture producers in the U.S., it grapples with high rates of food insecurity. "It doesn’t make sense," she said.
The cuts have resulted in 13 canceled USDA deliveries this year, severely limiting food supplies. In 2024, the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) previously allocated 3.5 million pounds of food worth over $4.7 million to the area. Unfortunately, Lowery predicts that food distribution will drop this year due to these cuts.
There’s a real worry about the availability of essential items like eggs, milk, cheese, and proteins such as chicken and turkey. "These are basics for families here in Kern County," Lowery added.
As funding shrinks, CAPK struggles to keep pace amid rising grocery prices. Local residents are feeling the heat. Carol Bailey, a Kern County native, summed it up: "The prices for everything at the grocery store are way too high for the average person." Gabriel Cardenas Arias echoed her concern, saying daily life is growing tougher, especially for senior citizens.
Another important program impacted by the cuts is the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), which previously enabled CAPK to buy food from local farmers. Losing this funding affects available food for those in need and also hurts the local economy.
The fallout from these cuts will be significant. Lowery stresses that “every segment of our community” will feel the impact, especially low-income families and farmworker communities who rely on the food bank’s support.
Though the number of delivery sites will stay the same, the quantity of food distributed will likely decrease.
Recent reports show that food insecurity remains a pressing issue across the country, affecting more than 38 million Americans, including 12 million children. As food banks like CAPK navigate these challenges, they emphasize the importance of community support and the need for innovative solutions to combat hunger and aid local economies.
Lowery’s insights bring attention to a critical issue that resonates beyond Kern County. As food banks face challenges, it becomes essential to consider how we can bridge the gap and provide support to those who need it most. More information on this issue can be found at Feeding America.
Check out this related article: Discover the Flavors of Piccolo Sogno: A Must-Try Chicago Classic by The Food Guy
Source linkFood security,Funding cuts,Kern County,CAPK Food Bank,USDA programs,Food insecurity,Grocery prices,Local farmers
