Federal budget cuts disrupt food bank supplies: Brevard groups organize help

Organizations in Brevard County are stepping up to help the community as federal budget cuts disrupt food bank supplies.

While the need for emergency food assistance continues to surge, the Trump administration has initiated cuts to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and other USDA initiatives as part of cost-saving efforts. This will result in a loss of around $1.1 billion in funding for two programs that provide food banks with grants and food sourced from local farmers and producers.

In response, three grassroots groups — Backyard Dems of Merritt Island, Blue Ripples of Satellite Beach and Peaceful Brevard — are calling on their members to take action.

“We cannot sit idly by while our neighbors go hungry,” said Sue Lawrence, organizer of Backyard Dems. “With federal support diminishing, it’s up to us to come together as a community and ensure families in Brevard County have the food they need.”

In addition to collecting non-perishable food items at the groups’ monthly meetings and delivering the items to local food banks, they are urging others to follow their lead.

“Peaceful Brevard decided to collect food because when the USDA cuts over a billion dollars in food assistance and slashes programs, it’s our neighbors who go hungry,” said organizer Krissy Goss. “We’re encouraging everyone to support their local food bank and pantries—now more than ever, our communities need us to fill the gap.” 

Local organizations, such as the Sharing Center of Central Brevard and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, among others, are struggling to manage the increasing demand from individuals and families in need of assistance amid the funding cuts.

“We knew the cutbacks in federal food distribution were going to hit our local food banks hard,” said Gordy Woelper of Blue Ripples Satellite Beach. “We hope this inspires more groups to get involved and help ensure no one in our community goes hungry … This is the right thing to do so no families, no children, ever go hungry.”

For those who want to participate, donations can be delivered to local food banks. To learn more about how to get involved, contact these local food non-profits:

Amber Olesen is FLORIDA TODAY’s food and dining reporter. Reach her at [email protected].