Illinois food pantries face uncertainty as USDA weighs cuts to COVID-era programs
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Food banks across Illinois were left scrambling earlier this month when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would cut COVID era programs they have come to rely on.
Wendy Eltman has helped manage the Old Stone Church Food Pantry, at 101 E Union Street, in Rockton, for years.
Over the last few months, Eltman said the pantry has been stocked with fresh, locally produced items thanks to a USDA grant called the .
With federal funding, Illinois created the IL-EATS program, which bought foods from local farmers and distributed them to food pantries.
More than 170 farmers have supplied food to 883 locations through the supported Illinois-EATS program.
'We service 65 to 75 people a week, families a week. And we could never go purchase that [ourselves],' Eltman said.
The programs were created during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, earlier this month, the USDA halted the grant, saying the program, along with the Local Foods for Schools program, is a legacy of the pandemic and no longer supported the agency's priorities. The cuts are part of the Trump administration's within the federal government.
'The COVID era is over — USDA's approach to nutrition programs will reflect that reality moving forward,' a USDA spokesperson said in a statement.
The decision was later reversed, but Eltman said the food pantry is unsure of for how long.
'It's going to be week to week. We know we're going to get deliveries in May, and the farmers will get paid, and then after June: no idea,' she said.
Constance Sturdivant, who organizes the food pantry at Christian Union Church in Rockford, said grants like the IL-EATS grant are crucial for the community.
'With the disruption of the grant. What we are able to give would be decreased significantly, if not cut out altogether because of the pantries that are here. We are in the same boat,' she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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