Federal funding cuts hit Idaho nonprofits working to fight food insecurity

BOISE, Idaho — From fair housing grants to local firefighter salaries, KTVB has covered multiple stories over the last month about how the Trump Administration’s cuts are affecting Idahoans. 

One of the latest hits — money from The Emergency Food Assistance Program, TEFAP, that some Idaho organizations use to help feed our hungry neighbors. Specifically, the bonus portion of the USDA program, which gives organizations around the country extra food on top of the money they already get. 

“It’s always unfortunate to have cuts come to a time of increased need,” Idaho Foodbank CEO Randy Ford said. [The program is] important because it allows us to serve greater portions of the state with more varieties of food.” 

The Idaho Foodbank is one of four Gem State organizations affected, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, which oversees the program for the state. 

Those organizations also include Community Action Partnership, South Central Community Action and El Ada Community Action. They distribute USDA food to 96 pantries, 20 mobile pantries, and 13 sites that prepare food for individual meals (soup kitchens) across Idaho, an IDHW spokesperson said. 

He told KTVB in an email the estimated value of the canceled food orders placed by these agencies is around $900,000.

Michelle Picklesimer, South Central Community chief finance officer, called the bonus program a “lifeline” and hopes the cancelation is not permanent since it helps them afford more expensive items. 

“USDA has already purchased [the food],” she said, “and so they just give it to whoever will take it. One bonus load … looking at value, can be $50-$70,000.” 

Picklesimer said the organization, which distributes food to more than a dozen food pantries and soup kitchens, has had four loads canceled. 

“Most of the protein … different meats, fruits, cheese, milk, all of those typically have been bonus loads,” she said. “We’re back to doing dry storage, which means shelf-stable foods, that’s really going to have a big impact in the quality and the variety of food that people get.” 

The Idaho Foodbank has had three loads canceled, Ford said. The TEFAP bonus program accounts for a very small percentage of their overall budget. 

“Protein is very expensive, and it’s much more limited in terms of availability,” he said. “We’re actively looking at how do we augment our distribution to try and replace what we can or at least have other offerings.” 

Picklesimer anticipated some cuts, especially since the U.S. went from a democrat to a republican president, but did not expect how fast everything would happen. She said they have not heard how long the cancelation will last. 

The USDA issued the following statement, according to IDHW. 

“USDA is prioritizing proven solutions and ensuring responsibility to the American taxpayer. USDA continues to purchase food for TEFAP, with over $166 million spent in FY 2025 to date for program requirements. USDA also is using Section 32 purchases to support TEFAP, purchasing over $300 million in various poultry, fish, fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts. USDA recently approved an additional $261 million in Section 32 purchases to provide even more fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts to TEFAP. With 16 robust nutrition programs and the Section 32 market support program in place, USDA remains focused on its core mission of supporting agricultural markets and ensuring access to nutritious food.”