Over $13 million in funding for vital food assistance programs in Colorado disappeared recently when the USDA canceled its support. This funding had been crucial for local farmers, food banks, and schools across the Western Slope, impacting food insecurity deeply.
Local producers like Mountain Freshies, which connects small farms in the region with consumers, are feeling the squeeze. Nancy Scheinkman, the co-founder of Mountain Freshies, expressed her fears for smaller farms that relied on these funds. As farmers had already planted their crops and invested in seeds, the unexpected funding cut left many in a tough spot. “It’s sending them into a bit of a tailspin,” she said.
The Local Food Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, launched in 2022, increased local food purchases significantly, producing tangible benefits. For example, Sue Ellen Rodwick, director of the Food Bank of the Rockies for the Western Slope, reported that the program allowed the food bank to source 188,000 pounds of local products in 2020. By 2023, that number had skyrocketed to over 750,000 pounds. The program injected more than a million dollars directly into local agriculture, supporting farmers and increasing the variety of produce available for families in need.
Some food banks expanded their offerings to include ground beef, which was a major step in providing nutritious protein sources to families. For instance, VanWinkle Ranch partnered with the food bank to supply 50,000 pounds of beef annually.
Without the program, the sustainability of these partnerships is in jeopardy. This cancellation has raised alarms not just about food availability but also about the economic ripple effects on local jobs and the agricultural community. VanWinkle noted that in the past, excess cattle were shipped out of state before the program began. Now, that might happen again, thus removing local jobs tied to food processing and distribution.
Scheinkman highlighted that before the program, farmers had little incentive to sell “seconds” or imperfect produce, leading to a significant amount of food waste. The program created a market for these items, keeping them from going to waste and helping farmers improve their bottom lines. Many farmers reinvested those earnings back into their operations, hiring more stable workers and purchasing better equipment.
Research supports this need for effective local food systems. A report from the USDA shows that local food systems can significantly reduce food insecurity levels. By fostering local partnerships, communities can better support their farmers and ensure that residents have access to nutritious food.
With this recent funding cancellation, communities are left to wonder how they will sustain the progress made. The fear is that the negative impacts will echo throughout the local economy, affecting all levels from farms to families.
As the sector looks for new solutions, insights from experts suggest that increasing community engagement and donations will be essential. It underscores the fact that by integrating local resources and securing alternate forms of funding, there might still be a way to forge a sustainable path forward amidst this setback.
Check out this related article: Join the Fight Against Hunger: How Green River Community Food Warehouse is Transforming Food Relief in Owensboro
Source linkfood loss and waste, food bank, united states department of agriculture, colorado western slope, economy, food industry, primary sector of the economy, agriculture, farm, cooperative, local food
