By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin food banks are facing a challenging period as the federal government reduces food shipments and anti-hunger program funding, coinciding with an increased demand for assistance.
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is assessing the impact of cuts to the Emergency Food Assistance Program, a crucial source of food for low-income residents.
“Any changes mean less money in the hands of our Wisconsin farmers and local economy, and less food on the table of our neighbors facing hunger,” said Michelle Orge, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “Less food coming in means more different sources that we have to look for, and those are likely going to be sources that cost us.”
Hunger Task Force and Feeding America of Eastern Wisconsin reported a combined reduction of over $2 million in food deliveries scheduled for the summer.
“We will continue to do everything we can to ensure our neighbors have the nutrition they need to thrive,” Patti Habeck, president and CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, said in a statement.
The cuts primarily target shipments funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation, a USDA arm that stabilizes farm income and commodity prices.
This corporation finances a significant portion of the food distributed through the emergency program. For Second Harvest, this program accounts for 5% to 10% of their monthly distribution, approximately 200,000 pounds of food.
These reductions compound the elimination of other anti-hunger initiatives, including programs supporting local food purchases for schools and food banks, one of which involved nearly 300 Wisconsin farmers.
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and other officials have urged the administration to reconsider these cuts. Feeding America estimates that over 617,000 people in Wisconsin experience food insecurity, and this number is rising.
Second Harvest's distribution has surged from 500,000-750,000 pounds pre-pandemic to an average of 2 million pounds monthly, making 2024 their busiest year on record, with 2025 projected to continue this trend.
“There is no playbook for this,” Orge said. “We’re keeping our eye on everything. We’re listening, we’re talking to folks. But we don’t know what’s coming next. And the things we thought would never happen are happening.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy