Federal cuts could impact food banks in Central PA

Yahoo

03-04-2025

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – In early March, the U.S. Agriculture Department cut two programs that spent over $1 billion annually on schools and local food banks.
The two programs include 'The Local Food for School Program' which cut $660 million and 'The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement' which cut $500 million. Now schools and local food banks are concerned about what will happen in the future.
'Those are going to have an impact on school feeding programs. So this could possibly be more families that need assistance in our community,' State College Food Bank Executive Director Allayn Beck said.
They're not alone. During the recent Centre County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Mark Higgins said that the cuts to the food bank are worrisome. The State College Food Bank works with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to buy in bulk at cheaper prices.
'Seeing these cuts and then if other fellow nonprofits are losing programs and staff are having to be cut, we are anticipating more need, growth. So from some of those cuts, we're going to see more people coming, but also some of those cuts are going to cause our food costs to go up,' Beck said.
Beck said they have not been directly impacted by the cuts so far but are preparing for what could happen.
'Thankfully at this point, we haven't had to change what we have available on how we're distributing food, but that will become a question for us if we need to start prioritizing which items we have funds to purchase, depending on the cost,' Beck said.
Beck says egg prices are an example, at one point they were paying over $6 for a dozen when it used to be $2. While the price hike isn't from the cuts, it does impact how much they can bring in, and stripping funding can contribute to the issue. She says while they can't control what happens there is something they can do.
'I don't have a lot of control over much happening in Washington, DC, but I do have a lot of control over what's happening here at the food bank and in our community. And the best thing to do is help and support each other and make sure that those people and our neighbors around us are being taken care of,' Beck said.
Beck also had a message for residents who depend on the organization. She said no matter what happens they will ensure everyone gets what they need.
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