LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The USDA announces 1 billion dollars to help with food insecurity across the country.
That money will be divided up nationwide and used to support places like the West Ohio Food Bank as they wait for the federal government to pass the farm bill to continue their funding.
That money will be divided up nationwide and used to support places like the West Ohio Food Bank as they wait for the federal government to pass the farm bill to continue their funding. Half of the money will go to programs that work with farmers, growers, and producers for nutritional food options. The other half of the money will be used for additional food purchases by food banks from retailers and food manufacturers, which have been in decline.
"It is not only going to help nationwide, especially with all the devastation that just happened in North Carolina in Florida, but it is going to help all of the food banks because we are all in the same situation. None of us are seeing size of the loads that were coming through before. Food has, donations have dropped off a little bit. So, we continue to struggle to get enough food in here and be able to provide that to those facing food insecurity," says Tommie Harner, CEO, of West Ohio Food Bank.
The other half of the money will be used for additional food purchases by food banks from retailers and food manufacturers, which have been in decline.
The need for food assistance has surged recently, and with natural disasters, the need has grown even more. The money can go further at a food bank than at a grocery store; one dollar can help them provide six meals for a person with food insecurity.
Ohio Association of Foodbanks Statement on USDA Investment to Support Farmers, Deliver Nutrition Assistance, and Bolster Rural Economies
Media Statement from Joree Novotny, executive director, Ohio Association of Foodbanks: Today, USDA announced $1 billion toward a national investment in proven initiatives that respond to the needs of people facing hunger and invest in resilient local food supply chains and farmers.
The USDA will allocate $500 million nationally for additional food purchases for emergency food providers through the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Commodities available through TEFAP have made up a declining share of the overall food our network is able to source to prevent hunger and hardship. This additional allocation will be critical to supplementing the continued support that foodbanks receive from retailers and manufacturers, generous local donors, farmers and food producers, and our partners at the State of Ohio.
Additionally, the USDA will invest $500 million nationally for the continuation of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program. This program, known locally as Ohio CAN (Community + Agriculture + Nutrition), has connected 180 farmers, growers, and producers and Ohio’s statewide and regional food hubs with opportunities to maintain and scale their distribution channels, while directing nourishing, culturally responsive foods to Ohioans facing hunger. As we await the passage of a permanent farm bill, we are grateful for this one-time, stop-gap measure to continue the success of Ohio CAN seamlessly.
The number of people visiting local food pantries across Ohio has surged, reflecting a growing and urgent need for support in our communities. We served 35% more children, 39% more adults, and 58% more older adults in 2023 than in 2019. Fortunately, foodbanks are trusted providers that not only alleviate hunger today but also contribute to long-term economic security and improved health. We will continue to partner with Congress to pass a Farm Bill that secures funding, strengthens nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and TEFAP and propels us forward on a path to a more food secure state and nation.
