Some lawmakers are concerned over federal food program cuts

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) – Senator Brad Pfaff and Representative Jill Billings are voicing their concerns about federal cuts to food programs.

“These cuts are devastating for Wisconsin. They will force food banks to turn people away. They will push away more working families, and sadly, will push them into hunger. We cannot accept this as the new normal. We must stand up for folks in our communities who may be facing food insecurity,” says Senator Pfaff.

Erin Waldhart is the executive director of WAFER Food Pantry in La Crosse. She says they’ve been experiencing a decrease in financial and food support over the last two years, and these federal cuts will only make things worse.

“We are currently experiencing the highest level of need the organization has experienced in the last decade. We anticipate the need to continue increasing due to inflationary pricing on all basic needs. Our government commodities delivery this month will be about fifty percent of what it typically is. Our egg and milk deliveries after may have been cancelled,” says Waldhart.

Wisconsin Farmers Union president Darin Von Ruden says the cuts will create many questions for farmers.

“Looking at end of year profits, we’re really struggling to get to that point right now because of the costs of all of your inputs. We know it’s going to go up a minimum of ten percent and probably twenty five percent on a lot of things because we do as a nation buy a lot of things from foreign countries,” says Von Ruden.

Senator Pfaff says last year 300 farms in Wisconsin helped provide over $4 million worth of food to over 250 pantries and schools. He says federal food cuts will take that support away.

In response to today’s event, republican congressman Derrick Van Orden saying in a statement, quote:

“Senator Pfaff and Representative Billings are fearmongering with our farmers and vulnerable populations, and that is reprehensible. They know what they are saying is not true, and they are doing it for political reasons. As I have said time and again, I am committed to making sure our farmers have the resources they need to feed the world and that we are protecting essential programs to ensure no child goes to bed hungry.”

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