West Michigan food banks fear uncertainty amid federal cuts, freezes

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Food banks in West Michigan are currently uncertain of next moves due to federal food assistance programs being paused or cut altogether.

The Michigan Department of Education has advised the Food Bank Council of Michigan to halt spending for certain programs due to uncertainty in U.S. Department of Agriculture funding.

Food banks build their budget around how much federal funding they receive, whether it is only around 30%, like the South Michigan Food Bank in Battle Creek, or 30 percent, like Loaves and Fishes in Kalamazoo.

With uncertainty in that department, shelves could become empty at the food banks.

Peter Vogel, CEO of the South Michigan Food Bank, was in Washington, D.C. this week, lobbying to lawmakers to protect these programs.

“We’re looking at an environment where federal programs look like they’re going to be giving us a lot less food,” Vogel told News Channel 3.

Vogel said 196 out of 209 truckloads of food across the state were canceled by the USDA.

He said South Michigan Food Bank is operating on razor-thin margins, and if the programs are not reinstated or unfrozen, he fears what the future could hold.

“I think we’re going to be in a dire situation,” Vogel said. “I think this is going to be tough on farmers, and I really think those folks who are food insecure, we’re not going to have enough food for them.”

Loaves and Fishes is experiencing similar issues due to the uncertainty of funding.

Executive director Jennifer Johnson calls it a ‘scary time’ for their operations, not knowing where the funding or food will come from in the next four months.

“It’s tough when you’re trying to maintain the number of food orders that go out the door, maintain the amount of food that you need to provide to families who are struggling right now and knowing that you don’t have all the answers,” Johnson said.

Despite facing uncertainty, Johnson said they will evaluate all alternatives should they lose that funding altogether.

“We’re planning ahead; we’re trying to do as much as we can with as much as we have in terms of dollars and donations, and then that USDA product which is coming in still,” Johnson said. “When that cuts off, or when that starts to dwindle, then that gets really tough, and we have to make some tough decisions.”

If you would like to support the South Michigan Food Bank, you can visit their website here, and Loaves and Fishes here.