1.6 billion dollars in federal food assistance program cuts are severely impacting food banks in Oregon
The federal cuts in food assistance programs are having a severe impact on food banks in Oregon, at a time when the need for support has never been higher. Nationally, these cuts amount to around 1.6 billion dollars, which is directly affecting thousands of families in one of the states with the highest hunger rates in the U.S.
The Increase in Food Insecurity in Oregon
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the percentage of people without sufficient access to food in the U.S. rose from 12.8% in 2022 to 13.5% in 2023, which equals approximately 554,550 people in Oregon. This increase comes at a time when food banks, like the Oregon Food Bank, are facing an unprecedented shortage of resources to meet growing demand.
Andrea Williams, president of the Oregon Food Bank, testified before the state Senate committee in March that “the need is enormous” and that they do not have enough food to distribute to the needy population.
Which Programs Have Been Cut?
Some of the most significant cuts include:
- The elimination of the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, which helped local farmers distribute fresh food to food banks.
- The suppression of the Local School Food Program, which provided fresh food to students in Oregon.
- A reduction of approximately 500 million dollars from the USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program, which has directly affected the amount of food distributed to low-income individuals.
- These reductions have left food banks with millions of pounds of food less to distribute. David Wieland, policy advocate for Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, pointed out that this represents approximately 3 million pounds of food less for the next two months.
The Impact on Local Communities
Marion Polk Food Share, one of the major organizations distributing food in Oregon, estimates that it will lose 14% of its total supply due to the cuts. This amounts to 1.3 million pounds of food, mainly meat, dairy, and eggs, essential products for the most vulnerable families. Its CEO, Rick Gaupo, expressed that, although they will continue operating, families will receive less food than in previous years.
The cuts are also affecting the distribution of free breakfasts and lunches in schools, a program benefiting 707 schools in Oregon. The proposal to cut the Community Eligibility Provision jeopardizes the nutrition of thousands of children, which would place an even greater burden on families, especially those in precarious economic situations.
Political Resistance and Proposed Solutions
Oregon legislators, including Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, have spoken out against these cuts. In a letter to Congress, they warned that the situation would worsen for the 50 million people who relied on food banks in 2023. Representative Andrea Salinas harshly criticized the federal administration, stating that these cuts will put many families at risk of hunger and will also impact local farmers.
To counteract the effects of the federal cuts, food security advocates have urged the Oregon Legislature to take action. It has been proposed to add 2 million dollars to the Oregon Department of Education’s budget to ensure the continuation of school meal programs. Additionally, Bill 611 seeks to ensure that all residents, including those with immigration status who do not qualify for the federal assistance program, can receive food aid.