A portion of the USDA funds will help food banks purchase food from local farmers and producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an investment of $1.7 billion to support U.S.-based farmers and producers. The investment includes funds for food banks like ours to purchase locally-sourced products for distribution in communities facing hunger.
The Biden Administration’s investments, made possible by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), will help American producers by ensuring they have the certainty of access to local and regional markets — as well as the financial benefits that come with selling directly to institutions like food banks. The investment will help fill some of the gap left behind when Congress failed to re-authorize food assistance funding from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act.
Feeding America applauds the announcement of $1 billion in additional funding for emergency food assistance by the Biden administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These funds will help address the extraordinary need for food assistance in communities across the country as the charitable food system is experiencing declining resources.
This investment comes at a crucial time. Food insecurity in the U.S. rose again in 2023 when 47.4 million people—1 in 7 people, including 1 in 5 children—experienced food insecurity. Families and individuals experiencing hunger are working to secure access to fresh, healthy food to thrive, and these investments will provide critical resources for food banks who are ready to assist them. In support of neighbors, food banks have been operating under heightened need, with increased food purchase and transportation costs. Food programs for seniors and Native and tribal communities have been impacted by supply chain issues. Now, as communities begin to recover from Hurricane Helene, food banks are providing short-term and long-term disaster response and support.
The USDA will provide $500 million for additional food purchases for emergency food providers like food banks, along with $500 million for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program for states, tribes and territories to purchase foods for their emergency food systems from local growers.
Feeding America is grateful to the USDA for its continued commitment to hunger relief. We must all come together alongside community members facing hunger and support strong, common-sense policies for a food-secure future. This is an ongoing, collaborative effort that will require additional support from the administration and Congress, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Today’s announcement is a wonderful investment in American communities, and we urge Congress to pass a farm bill that strengthens nutrition programs like TEFAP and brings us closer to being a food-secure nation.
A huge portion of the food we distribute at the Food Bank is sourced through local farmers, producers, manufacturers, and retailers — and we couldn’t do this work without strong government and food industry partnerships. Learn more about our food sourcing and purchase programs here.
There are a host of ways to make a difference right now in the fight to end hunger. If you’re able, please take a minute to lend your time, your voice, or your financial support as we write the Food Bank’s next chapter together!
