Atlanta food bank says it’s losing $15 million after federal cuts

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – On Friday, Atlanta Community Food Bank CEO Kyle Waide said the food bank is set to lose $15 million in federal funding over the next two years.

“$15 million is not something that we can just replace overnight. That is equivalent to about 30% of our annual budget,” Waide said.

The food bank received the funding through a federal program from the USDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, called the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA).

Earlier this month, the USDA announced cuts of roughly $1 billion to federal spending, including sunsetting the LFPA.

The USDA defended the cuts saying the programs were only meant to help farmers during the pandemic and these cuts will help reduce redundancy within the federal agency.

“Unlike the Biden Administration, which funneled billions in CCC funds into short-term programs with no plan for longevity, USDA is prioritizing stable, proven solutions that deliver lasting impact. The COVID era is over—USDA’s approach to nutrition programs will reflect that reality moving forward,” according to a USDA spokesperson, in an email to Atlanta News First.

The USDA said they have 16 existing nutrition programs to continue strengthening food security nationwide.

This ending of the LFPA program comes weeks after the USDA said it released half a billion dollars in previously obligated funds for LFPA, and LFS [Local Food for Schools and Child Care cooperative Agreement], programs.

“The question is whether there will be something different that replaces what has been cut,” said Waide, who said he’s hopeful the new administration will prioritize funds for food banks given the economic hardship for many across the country.

Waide said the Atlanta Community Food Bank has seen a 60% increase in people seeking assistance in the last three years.

The food bank serves roughly 700,000 people in 29 Georgia counties every month, per ACFB staff.

“Given the high levels of demand, that’s just going to make it really hard for us to make sure that every one of our neighbors has the food that they need,” Waide said.

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