Why BMAC’s Mobile Food Distribution Service Shutdown Matters: Understanding the Impact of Federal Funding Cuts

The Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank (BMAC) is set to end its mobile food distribution service after April 24. This tough decision comes after significant cuts to federal and state funding, which have severely impacted food banks across the country. The announcement highlighted ongoing challenges in the fight against food insecurity.

BMAC has been a lifeline in Walla Walla, Washington, especially since federal funding from the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) was slashed. This program, which was offering $500 million in support, has faced a major cut, causing a ripple effect on local services. Danielle Garbe Reser, the CEO of BMAC, expressed her frustration over the sudden loss of expected food supplies.

"We were counting on that food, and now it’s just not there," Garbe Reser said. Despite these setbacks, BMAC continues to work with other local partners like the Salvation Army to ensure food reaches those in need.

Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Walla Walla. According to Feeding America, the area’s food insecurity rate was 12.6% overall and 16.9% for children in 2022, slightly below the national averages of 13.5% and 18.5%, respectively. This situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, where food insecurity soared to 20.4% in April 2020 due to job losses and disrupted supply chains.

In the last fiscal year, BMAC distributed about three million pounds of food, a 200% increase from before the pandemic. However, with reduced federal and state funding and a budget deficit projected at $40 to $50 million for state food programs, the future looks grim.

Jen Muzia, Executive Director of the Ballard Food Bank in Seattle, shared similar concerns. Even without federal funding, the Ballard Food Bank relies heavily on USDA products, and cuts are making it harder to meet the rising need for assistance. "Food banks across Seattle are all talking about how our food supply is down while the demand is rising,” she reported.

To bridge the gap, BMAC is encouraging community involvement. During a recent community meeting, Erik Mora, the Food Bank Director, urged residents to help. "We can’t fully rely on state support anymore. It’s time for the community to step up."

To this end, Whitman College students are taking action through the Food Justice Project, which has expanded its partnerships to help local food banks. "We’re collaborating with local organizations to make food distributions easier for our peers,” stated Abd Alghani Rahmoun, a student leader in the project.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Garbe Reser remains optimistic. "We believe in the community’s commitment to ensure no one goes hungry here." In an area rich in agriculture, she sees a collective effort as key to overcoming these difficulties.

These issues reflect not only local challenges but a nationwide trend in food assistance. For more on food insecurity data and assistance programs, visit the Feeding America website.

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