CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga Food Bank says they are losing millions in federal funding and are concerned about meeting the needs of the community.
This comes amid ongoing federal cuts by the Trump administration.
Food banks say they need to make up a $500 million shortfall after the Trump administration froze those funds. The money stems from the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
The Trump administration says President Biden put too much money into the program amid the pandemic, and that there’s a more efficient way to serve those in need.
Melissa Blevins, CEO of the Chattanooga Food Bank, says these funding cuts include USDA Local Food Purchasing Assistance.
She says that’s an estimated $1.3M to support local farmers, growers, and producers.
Blevins says truckloads of ‘critical USDA TEFAP foods’ scheduled over the next three months have also been canceled.
“The Food Bank and our network of community partners rely on these critical government food programs to provide nourishing food that is rarely donated and often cost-prohibitive for us to purchase.”
Leaving the food bank and impacted residents concerned about the future.
“It’s sad because they’re not going to get nothing to eat. I mean, what about the children or disabled adults older than I am? They really actually need it.”
Donna Mullin says when she broke her leg, food banks like the one in Chattanooga saved her.
“In my situation, I can’t stand up and actually cook a good meal like I want to. If I’m able to get a ride and go down there, they’ll be serving food that I can be able to eat.”
According to Newsweek, the Republican budget for this year proposes $2 trillion in spending cuts. Some analysts say that could translate to over $200-billion dollars in cuts to SNAP, although the budget does not mention the program.
Jeaninne Carpentar with the Chattanooga Food Bank says…
“USDA purchases that were canceled for the Chattanooga area food bank… $500 million worth. 13 truckloads.”
Carpentar says the current situation is precarious.
“There’s also a lot left for us to learn. Every administration has the opportunity to create their own signature programs to support agriculture or to address food insecurity.”
Residents like Mullin say Chattanooga’s current food programs need all the help they can get.
“Put some more food banks in here, homeless shelters that will be able to provide homes. I mean, a place to stay, plus food.”
The typical person spends about $251 per month on groceries in Tennessee, according to data from the Ashton Real Estate Group.
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