By Andi Anderson
During the holiday season, families and friends come together to share meals and express gratitude. However, for some, limited access to food dims the celebrations. To address these challenges, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced an additional $500 million in funding for food providers in rural, underserved, and remote areas. This funding aims to help food banks and pantries stock up on essential items like fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
“They’re able to buy what the community needs, and they’re able to buy from local farmers and ranchers, which supports regional economies as well.” said USDA Undersecretary Jennifer Moffitt. “For Indiana, $12 million has been going through the Department of Agriculture to food banks and pantries in the region.”
This latest funding adds to the $1.5 billion allocated since 2022 for emergency food providers nationwide. The initiative focuses on linking farmers and the Emergency Food Network, ensuring local communities have access to fresh, affordable food. It also provides farmers with a stable market, enabling them to sell their products to food banks, grocery stores, and restaurants at fair prices.
Indiana, home to approximately 94,000 farmers, stands to benefit significantly from this initiative. Victor Garcia, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, noted that the demand for food assistance in the region remains as high as it was during the pandemic. Rising food prices have further strained resources, making it challenging for food banks to meet growing needs.
“Unfortunately, the food bank relies on purchased food – as well as USDA products and donated food to support the various programs that we offer,” said Victor Garcia is president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. “But with the rise in cost of food, we are unable to source as much food as there is in demand.”
Currently, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana serves around 60,000 people each month, underscoring the ongoing need for support during challenging times.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Indiana, Business