Could proposed state Senate funding for food banks soften blow from federal cuts?

Before the legislative session, Senate President Ben Albritton said tackling hunger would be one of his priorities. That is reflected in the $50 million slated for food bank grants in the Senate’s budget proposal unveiled this week.

While budget negotiations are just ramping up, the additional funding from the Senate could help food banks weather the loss of millions in federal funds they used to buy fresh produce.

Florida received $46.4 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Local Food Purchase Assistance program, created in the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act and later expanded by the Biden administration, according to a USDA database.

However, the Trump administration canceled the program earlier this month, meaning food banks won’t receive grants to purchase produce from farms they expected to get in the fall.

Federal cuts squeeze already-struggling food banks, school lunch programs

What’s more, food bank directors learned this week of a funding freeze for federal food shipments through the USDA.

“It’s a big blow to our food bank network,” said Robin Safley, executive director of Feeding Florida, a network of nine food banks. “We have not seen a decline in demand. In fact, we’re probably seeing that inch up with some of the layoffs, as well. So it definitely is putting a huge and critical burden on our food banks.”

While Albritton teased the grant programs in the budget proposal before the session started, Safley says those funds are even more necessary in light of the federal funding cuts.

The Senate proposal includes two grant programs through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: $12 million to expand the infrastructure of food banks in rural communities, and another $38 million to help food banks buy products from Florida farmers.

“We’re running to this fight to connect hungry families across our state with Florida farmers who produce fresh, wholesome food,” Albritton wrote in a press release on Wednesday. “This is a much-needed hand-up for families and farmers across our state. As I travel the state, attacking food insecurity unites Floridians like nothing else can. Food matters.”

Feeding Florida would work with the agriculture department to identify which rural areas and underserved communities would get the funds for the infrastructure program.

“The cuts that are coming from the federal government are pretty severe, as well,” Safley said. “I guess it does soften the blow, because it’s money that we wouldn’t have had. Obviously, it has a long way to go in the Legislature.”

However, the House agriculture budget proposal doesn’t include either program, and House Speaker Daniel Perez is pushing for a $5 billion sales tax cut.