USDA Slashes Program Helping North Texas Food Bank Source Fresh Produce from Local Farmers

DALLAS – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has made significant cuts to programs that support schools and food banks, impacting local communities across the nation.

One of the affected programs was the Local Food Purchase Agreement Program, which allowed food banks like the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) to buy fresh produce and meat directly from local farmers. This helped boost local economies and provided healthier food options for those in need.

This year alone, the NTFB received $9 million from this program, enabling them to provide 106 million meals to North Texans. The cuts to federal funding mean this crucial support will soon end.

Another program, the Local Food for Schools Program, primarily helped schools provide fresh foods to students. This program is also being eliminated, further straining resources for both food banks and schools.

A report shows that the USDA slashed over $1 billion in funding for various food assistance programs. A USDA spokesperson explained that the focus is now on “stable, proven solutions” rather than temporary fixes. This change comes as part of broader efforts to reduce government spending and streamline programs initiated under previous administrations.

Trisha Cunningham, president of the NTFB, expressed her concern about the cuts. She believes the program was essential not just for food banks and farmers but for the communities that rely on these resources. “Having this additional program was vital to helping us meet increased needs,” she said.

While the funding cuts are aimed at tightening budgets, they have raised concerns about the long-term impact on local food systems. Kalah Sprabeary from Farmyard Foods highlighted how the cuts could affect not only food banks but also small farmers and local economies, including job losses and disruptions in supply chains.

With funding set to stop before the end of the current fiscal year, food banks and farmers are bracing for tighter times. Cunningham noted that while the food bank’s shelves won’t be empty immediately, the sudden halt in funding from federal programs will make it difficult to maintain supplies moving forward.

In recent years, the demand for food assistance has surged, partially due to economic pressures on families. According to a 2022 Feeding America report, 1 in 8 Americans experienced food insecurity, a stark reminder of the importance of robust food assistance programs.

These cuts could drastically change the landscape for food assistance just when it’s needed most. As communities and organizations adapt, it remains to be seen how these changes will influence access to food for those who need it.

The information in this article is sourced from the North Texas Food Bank, the USDA’s website, and national news coverage.

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