USDA Cuts Halt Food Shipments to The Food Bank of Delaware

MILFORD, DE- Families in Delaware who rely on food assistance may soon face shortages as major federal funding cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have disrupted food bank shipments nationwide.

The Food Bank of Delaware, typically stocked with food from local, federal, and community partners, is now feeling the strain as one key supplier—the USDA—has drastically scaled back its contributions.

Sen. Chris Coons (D- Delaware) underscored the severity of the USDA cuts by the Trump administration, which have halted shipments to food banks nationwide.

“The USDA is canceling $500 million worth of commodity food purchases, food that was meant for food banks across the country.”

For Delaware, the impact is immediate. Fourteen truckloads of food expected to arrive at the Food Bank of Delaware over the next couple of months, are now on hold.

Coons warned that the suspension of shipments will leave many without critical resources.

“More than a dozen truckloads of food—enough to feed 600,000 hungry Delawareans—have been suspended.”

The Food Bank of Delaware, which relies heavily on USDA support, is already adjusting to the shortfall.

Chad Robinson, with the Food Bank of Delaware, said the missing shipments account for a significant portion of their supply.

“Those 14 loads represent about 26% of the food we expected to receive from the federal government this fiscal year.”

With federal uncertainty, Robinson stressed the need for local support.

“Working together to keep food on Delawareans’ tables is what’s most important. This is a crucial time for the community to step up.”

Meanwhile, Coons is pressing for answers from the Trump administration.

According to Coons, he and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D- Minnesota) are sending a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture today, demanding an explanation for the cuts.