Oklahoma food banks impacted by federal budget cuts to food assistance programs
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Food banks across the state are feeling the impact of federal budget cuts to food assistance programs.
“Literally, we've seen less food,” said Stacy Dykstra, the CEO of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “So, it’s really unsettling… When we lose these resources, it directly impacts people facing hunger in our state.”
The U.S. Agriculture Department slashed two federal programs that spent over $1 billion annually to help schools and food banks buy food from local farms and ranches.
"They're [food banks are] taking some of the hit now, but it's going to be over time that it builds, because they already have higher demand than they've ever had,” said Chris Bernard, the CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma.
In a statement to KFOR earlier this month, the USDA said:
“USDA can confirm it has provided notice to States, Territories and Tribes that the FY 2025 funding previously announced for the pandemic-era Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement (LFSCC) and pandemic-era Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program (LFPA25) is no longer available and those agreements will be terminated following 60-day notification. These programs, created under the former Administration via Executive authority, no longer effectuate the goals of the agency. LFPA and LFPA Plus agreements that were in place prior to LFPA 25, which still have substantial financial resources remaining, will continue to be in effect for the remainder of the period of performance. AMS will resume processing claims for payment for LFPA and LFPA Plus for activities accruing prior to and after January 20, 2025.”
USDA Spokesperson
"What that's going to do is make them [food banks] have to scramble to try and raise more money,” said Bernard. “But honestly, there's only so much money you can raise as a charity, and so you're not going to be able to fully fill that gap."
The cuts come as Oklahoma is ranked the 6th hungriest state in the nation. More than 15 percent of households across the state are considered food insecure.
"We've got to support our most vulnerable Oklahomans, who are, you know, falling on hard times and need a little support now and then,” said Dykstra.
Bernard said while the loss of the programs is “significant,” it’s “not world ending.” However, he is worried more federal programs could eventually be cut as well, leading to a bigger issue.
"It will be a pain point, but something that you can try and kind of figure out how to address over time,” said Bernard. “The problem is, it's not in a vacuum, and there are lots of other things happening that are putting more pressures on households and reducing the amount of resources going to folks in need. And that's where you're going to see the system start to crumble."