logo
Federal cuts gut food banks as they face record demand

Federal cuts gut food banks as they face record demand

Yahoo29-04-2025

This is a KFF Health News story.
Food bank shortages caused by high demand and cuts to federal aid programs have some residents of a small community that straddles Idaho and Nevada growing their own food to get by.
For those living in Duck Valley, a reservation of about 1,000 people that is home to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, there's just one grocery store where prices are too high for many to afford, said Brandy Bull Chief, local director of a federal food distribution program for tribes. The next-closest grocery stores are more than 100 miles away in Mountain Home, Idaho and Elko, Nevada. And the local food bank's troubles are mirrored by many nationwide, squeezed between growing need and shrinking aid.
Reggie Premo, a community outreach specialist at the University of Nevada-Reno Extension, grew up cattle ranching and farming alfalfa in Duck Valley. He runs workshops to teach residents to grow produce. Premo said he has seen increased interest from tribal leaders in the state worried about high costs while living in food deserts.
MORE: Serving up kindness: How to help food banks, food rescues and more tackle food insecurity this holiday
"We're just trying to bring back how it used to be in the old days," Premo said, "when families used to grow gardens."
Food bank managers across the country say their supplies have been strained by rising demand since the end of the COVID pandemic-era emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits two years ago and steep inflation in food prices. Now, they say, demand is compounded by recent cuts in federal funding to food distribution programs that supply staple food items to pantries nationwide.
In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut $500 million from the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which buys food from domestic producers and sends it to pantries nationwide. The program has supplied more than 20% of the distributions by Feeding America, a nonprofit that serves a network of over 200 food banks and 60,000 meal programs.
The collision between rising demand and falling support is especially problematic for rural communities, where the federal program can cover 50% or more of food supplied to those in need, said Vince Hall, chief government relations officer of Feeding America. Deepening the challenge for local food aid organizations is an additional $500 million the Trump administration slashed from the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which helped state, tribal and territorial governments buy fresh food from nearby producers.
"The urgency of this crisis cannot be overstated," Hall said, adding that the Emergency Food Assistance Program is "rural America's hunger lifeline."
Farmers who benefited from the USDA programs that distributed their products to food banks and schools will also be affected. Bill Green is executive director for the Southeast region of Common Market, a nonprofit that connects farmers with organizations in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Great Lakes and Texas. Green said his organization won't be able to fill the gap left by the federal cuts, but he hopes some schools and other institutions will continue buying from those farmers even after the federal support dries up.
"I think that that food access challenge has only been aggravated, and I think we just found the tip of the iceberg on that," he said.
MORE: Elon Musk approval low, reflecting opposition to Trump cuts: POLL
Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha, Nebraska, for example, is experiencing four times the demand this year than in 2018, according to Stephanie Sullivan, its assistant director of marketing and communications. The organization expects to provide food to 580,000 households across the 93 counties it serves in Nebraska and western Iowa this fiscal year, the highest number in its history, she said.
"These numbers should be a wake-up call for all of us," Sullivan said.
The South Plains Food Bank in Texas projects it will distribute approximately 121,000 food boxes this year to people in need across the 19 counties it serves, compared with an average 90,000 annually before the pandemic. CEO Dina Jeffries said the organization now is serving about 25% more people, while shouldering the burden of decreased funding and food products.
In Nevada, the food bank that helps serve communities in the northern part of the state, including the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation, provides food to an average of 160,000 people per month. That's a 76% increase over its clientele before the pandemic, and the need continues to rise, said Jocelyn Lantrip, director of marketing and communications for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.
Lantrip said one of the most troubling things for the food bank is that the USDA commodities shipped for local distribution often are foods that donations don't usually cover -- things like eggs, dairy and meat.
"That's really valuable food to our neighbors," she said. "Protein is very difficult to replace."
Forty percent of people who sought assistance from food banks during the pandemic did so for the first time, Hall said. "Many of those families have come to see their neighborhood food bank not as a temporary resource for emergency help but an essential component of their monthly budget equation."
About 47 million people lived in food-insecure households in 2023, the most recent USDA data available.
Bull Chief, who also runs a small food pantry on the Duck Valley Reservation, said workers drive to Elko to pick up food distributed by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. But sometimes there's not much to choose from. In March, the food pantry cut down its operation to just two weeks a month. She said sometimes they must weigh whether it's worth spending money on gas to pick up a small amount of food.
When the food pantry opened in 2020, Bull Chief said, it helped 10 to 20 households a month. That number is 60 or more now, made up of a broad range of community members -- teens fresh out of high school and living on their own, elders and people who don't have permanent housing or jobs. She said providing even small amounts of food can help households make ends meet between paychecks or SNAP benefit deposits.
"Whatever they need to get to survive for the month," Bull Chief said.
MORE: Some small businesses are on the brink after Trump's spending cuts affect contracts
Pinched food banks, elevated need and federal cuts mean there's very little resiliency in the system, Hall said. Additional challenges, like an economic slowdown, policy changes to SNAP or other federal nutrition programs, or natural disasters could render food banks unable to meet needs "because they are stretched to the breaking point right now."
A proposed budget resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in April would require $1.7 trillion in net funding cuts, and anti-hunger advocates fear SNAP could be a target. More people living in rural parts of the country rely on SNAP than people in urban areas because of higher poverty rates, so they would be disproportionately affected.
An extension of the federal 2018 Farm Bill, which lasts until Sept. 30, included about $450 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program for this year. But the funding that remains doesn't offset the cuts, Hall said. He hopes lawmakers pass a new farm bill this year with enough money to do so.
"We don't have a food shortage," he said. "We have a shortage of political will."
Federal cuts gut food banks as they face record demand originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump's policies disrupt global tourism
Trump's policies disrupt global tourism

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Trump's policies disrupt global tourism

The United States is facing a significant decline in international tourism in 2025, with foreign visitor numbers and spending forecast to drop sharply. Analysts link the downturn to a series of policy moves by President Donald Trump, including new travel bans, heightened border scrutiny, and rollbacks on civil rights protections. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that these developments could cost the US economy $12.5 billion this year, deepening the trade deficit as inbound tourism is considered an export. According to the US International Trade Administration, foreign air arrivals to the US fell by 2.5% through April compared with the same period last year, with a notable 10% drop in March following the announcement of tariffs targeting Canada, China and Mexico. Canada, the top source of international visitors to the US, has seen a 15% decline in cross-border travel in April alone. Major European airlines have begun reducing flights to key US cities, including New York, Miami, and Las Vegas. Spending by international tourists is projected to decrease by 7% in 2025, marking the first drop since the pandemic recovery began. The World Travel & Tourism Council warns that the US is the only major global destination expected to record a fall in tourism revenue this year, with earnings from foreign visitors falling below $169 billion. The council does not expect US tourism spending to return to pre-Covid-19 levels before 2030. At least 12 countries have issued travel advisories urging caution when visiting the United States. Nations such as Canada, Germany, France, and the UK have warned their citizens about the risk of detention, denial of entry, or the seizure of personal devices. LGBTQ+ travellers have also been cautioned by governments including Ireland and the Netherlands following US policy changes affecting gender recognition. As a result, many tourists are choosing alternative destinations. Tourism Economics reports that global flight bookings to the US from May through July are down 11% compared to 2024. Canadian bookings are off by a third, a drop that could eliminate $6 billion in spending and more than 40,000 US jobs. Countries such as Japan and Vietnam are emerging as winners in the redirected tourism flow, with Japan reporting a record number of monthly visitors. Among the 20 US cities most dependent on international tourism, 18 are forecast to suffer declines in foreign visitor spending. Detroit, Seattle and Tampa are expected to see the sharpest drops, with losses also predicted in cities like Philadelphia and Phoenix. Only Honolulu and New York are forecast to avoid major downturns, though New York officials expect a 17% decrease in overseas tourism compared to 2024. Corporate travel is also under pressure. A survey by the Global Business Travel Association found that nearly one-third of travel managers expect reduced company spending due to recent US government actions. The number of European business travellers entering the US dropped by 18% in April alone. The association has revised its 2025 forecast downward, anticipating a 5% decline in corporate travel expenditure. Meanwhile, fewer Americans are planning trips abroad. Only 18% expect to travel overseas within the next six months, down from 24% in December, according to the Conference Board. Rising economic uncertainty is prompting many to scale back or cancel international holidays in favour of domestic alternatives. With shifting global travel patterns and growing international discontent, analysts suggest the US tourism sector faces a prolonged and uncertain recovery. Navigate the shifting tariff landscape with real-time data and market-leading analysis. Request a free demo for GlobalData's Strategic Intelligence . "Trump's policies disrupt global tourism" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Premier League operating profit hits five-year high as PSR bites
Premier League operating profit hits five-year high as PSR bites

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Premier League operating profit hits five-year high as PSR bites

Premier League clubs recorded their highest collective operating profit since 2019 last year as controversial PSR regulations enforced a greater emphasis on balancing the books. Aggregate operating profits among the 20 teams in the top division increased by 36 per cent to £533m in 2023-24, according to Deloitte's latest Annual Review of Football Finance published today. Premier League clubs' revenue grew four per cent to a record £6.3bn which, combined with tougher profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), led to their best operating profit figures since before the Covid-19 pandemic. 'We are starting to see a bit of a ripple when it comes to clubs focusing on compliance within regulations,' Jennifer Haskel, knowledge and insight lead in the Deloitte Sports Business Group, told City AM. 'As we continue within this evolving regulatory landscape, clubs are being run more and more as traditional businesses. While clubs are continuing to grow the top line and diversify their revenue streams, hopefully that will lead to more long term sustainability and profits.' Both Everton and Nottingham Forest received points deductions in the 2023-24 season for breaching PSR, while other teams – including Aston Villa and Chelsea – narrowly avoided sanctions with some late player trading. Premier League clubs made a pre-tax loss of £136m, although that was an improvement of almost £550m on the previous season. The relegation of heavily loss-making teams also contributed to the improvement. The total European football market grew by eight per cent to a record €38bn, with the Big Five leagues – England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France – generating more than €20bn for the first time. That growth may plateau due to a French media rights crisis, however, Deloitte said. Ahead of the imminent introduction of the Independent Football Regulator, meanwhile, the report warns that 'there can be no doubt that the system in English football is under strain'. 'We still await the output of the Independent Football Regulator to fully understand how this may impact the game in England, but it is clear that the way in which the game is governed and the regulation that underpins it needs to seek to drive value, fan engagement (both physical and digital) and competitive balance,' writes Deloitte's lead sports partner Tim Bridge. 'The level of interest and the demand to engage with English football remains high and investors still see the opportunity, particularly when there is a strong community link or adjacent investment opportunities, but the lack of clarity over the future regulatory regime is now unhelpful.' Sign in to access your portfolio

London Breed's former chief of staff to lead urban think tank SPUR
London Breed's former chief of staff to lead urban think tank SPUR

San Francisco Chronicle​

time4 hours ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

London Breed's former chief of staff to lead urban think tank SPUR

Sean Elsbernd, a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors who most recently served as chief of staff to former Mayor London Breed, has been tapped to become chief executive officer of the urban think tank SPUR. Elsbernd will replace Alicia John-Baptiste, who left the position in February to become chief of infrastructure, climate and mobility for Mayor Daniel Lurie. A city hall insider who has served as both an elected politician and low-key, behind-the-scenes power broker, Elsbernd led city and county operations for Breed and oversaw the city's regional partnerships and state legislative work. He previously served as state director for the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. 'Sean is a thoughtful and values-driven leader with deep knowledge of how Bay Area government works and how to build strong public partnerships that move policy forward,' said Lydia Tan, Chair of SPUR's Board of Directors. 'He understands SPUR's mission and brings the experience and vision we need to lead the organization into its next chapter.' SPUR, which has offices in San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco, bills itself as a 'good government' think tank that publishes policy reports laying out the case for how to improve public transit, preserve the environment, build more housing and make government more efficient and effective. Recent policy reports include: '10 ideas for equitable transportation in Oakland'; how the Bay Area could grow its population without increasing water demand; and how to reform the region's sales taxes. While SPUR doesn't endorse individual candidates its ideas are often in sync with the moderate faction of the city's political spectrum while its board of directors and membership is dominated by real estate developers, architects, nonprofit leaders and affordable housing leaders. Recently, Mayor Daniel Lurie implemented SPUR's recommendation to reorganize the Mayor's Office and create new roles to improve collaboration and accountability. SPUR also played a central role in advocating for $5.1 billion in state funding that included $400 million for Bay Area transit operations. Elsbernd has held several transit leadership roles, including serving as Chair of the Caltrain Board of Directors and as a Director of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. He led San Francisco's COVID response, providing oversight of the Department of Public Health and Department of Emergency Management. 'Having worked with Sean for years in various roles, I know he is the right person to help SPUR boost our local economies, advance new ideas and reforms and improve the lives of our residents,' said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. Elsbernd officially assumes the role later this month and has already begun working closely with staff, the board of directors and regional leaders to carry the organization's mission forward, according to SPUR. The organization, which holds regular talks and panels at its Urban Center at 654 Mission St., had $5.9 million in expenses in the last fiscal year. It generated $4.6 million in revenues – a combination of membership fees, grants and special events. The nonprofit took in another in another $1.3 million in donations, according to the group's annual report. 'I'm honored to be joining SPUR,' Elsbernd said. 'Throughout my public service career, I've admired SPUR's work from both inside local government and as a resident of this region. The chance to lead an organization that's driving practical, forward-looking solutions is a privilege.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store