The Trump administration’s budget cuts led to the cancellation of 20 truckloads of food—approximately 500,000 pounds—destined for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, impacting deliveries scheduled between April and July 2025. This resulted in a loss of roughly $1 million worth of food, including staples like milk, eggs, and meat. The cancellations stemmed from a broader USDA suspension of $500 million in funding for nationwide food bank programs, part of a review of Commodity Credit Corp. funding. While the USDA claims to continue TEFAP purchases, the food bank, already facing a state budget cut, emphasizes the significant impact on their ability to meet community needs.
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The Greater Cleveland Food Bank faces the cancellation of $2 million worth of food from the Federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, potentially leaving thousands without food this week. This loss, equivalent to a week’s supply for Northeast Ohio, includes vital fresh produce from local farmers participating in the Food for Purchase Assistance program. The cancellations stem from broader federal spending cuts, the reasons for which remain unexplained by the Department of Agriculture. This crisis is exacerbated by proposed state budget cuts, creating a severe threat to hunger relief and local agriculture.
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Feeding America West Michigan faces a critical shortage of 600,000 pounds of food due to the USDA’s cancellation of 32 scheduled truckloads from its Emergency Food Assistance Program. This $1.1 million loss, attributed to a federal review and program pause, exacerbates existing challenges, including potential reductions in food assistance eligibility and the food bank’s current 50% subsidization of federal programs. The food bank is actively seeking alternative sources, including farmers and donors, to ensure continued food distribution, though the food offered may differ from what was originally planned. The situation underscores the significant impact of federal budget cuts on food security.
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The USDA is eliminating two programs totaling $1 billion in funding for schools and food banks to purchase food from local sources. This decision, attributed to a shift toward “fiscally responsible initiatives,” cancels $660 million for the Local Food for Schools program and $420 million for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement. The funding cuts significantly impact schools already facing high food costs, forcing reductions in fresh produce and local sourcing. The termination affects numerous schools and farmers nationwide, jeopardizing both school nutrition and local economies.
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The USDA’s termination of funding for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement will eliminate $11 million in funding for North Carolina food banks. This includes a $2 million loss for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, jeopardizing the purchase of fresh produce directly from local farmers. The resulting economic impact on farmers and the increasing food insecurity in the 34 served counties are significant concerns. The food bank is now seeking state funding to offset this substantial loss.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is eliminating two pandemic-era programs that provided over $1 billion to schools and food banks for local food purchases. This funding, totaling $660 million for schools and an unspecified amount for food banks, enabled initiatives like direct purchases from local farmers and fishermen, improving school meal quality and supporting local economies. The termination, attributed to the programs’ pandemic origins and shifting USDA priorities, is causing concern amongst school districts and food banks already facing budgetary constraints and rising food costs. Critics fear this signals further cuts to school nutrition programs, potentially impacting children’s access to reliable food sources.
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The Department of Agriculture has eliminated over $1 billion in funding for programs supporting schools and food banks’ purchases from local farmers. This includes a termination of $660 million for the Local Food for Schools program and $420 million for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. Multiple states have been notified of these cuts, attributed to a government efficiency initiative aimed at reducing federal spending. The decision is drawing sharp criticism for its negative impact on children, farmers, and underserved communities.
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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced plans to restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to healthier food options, aiming to curtail the use of food stamps on sugary drinks and junk food. This initiative, supported by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, will involve studying current SNAP spending and exploring ways to prioritize nutritious food purchases. The program, costing $112.8 billion annually, serves 42.1 million Americans, prompting concerns about efficient use of taxpayer funds. Existing bipartisan congressional proposals to study SNAP purchases and restrict unhealthy food purchases align with this new administration focus.
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The resurgence of scurvy in France, particularly impacting poorer children, is a stark reminder of the deep inequalities within even wealthy nations. It’s a shocking development, highlighting how readily preventable diseases can reappear when basic needs aren’t met. The fact that this is happening in a country like France, not typically associated with widespread malnutrition, underscores the seriousness of the issue.
This isn’t an isolated incident; reports of increased scurvy and rickets are emerging from other developed nations like the UK and Canada. The common thread seems to be a growing food insecurity crisis, disproportionately affecting vulnerable families. While food banks exist, they are often overwhelmed by demand and lack the fresh, nutrient-rich food necessary to combat deficiencies like scurvy.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood