The estimated 1.1 million food insecure Michiganians may be more at risk if federal programs that keep the state’s food pantries stocked aren’t quickly reinstated, a statewide food resource network said Thursday.
The Food Bank Council of Michigan said food banks plan their budgets based on expected funding and are now facing “major gaps in supply,” which will have a significant impact on the organizations’ ability to serve families in need. Issues with one program are keeping nearly $3.7 million worth of meat and other products from making it to outreach shelves. The funding gap comes amid the Trump administration’s federal downsizing and funding freeze.
The council, which works with more than 2,800 hunger relief agencies, private companies, farmers and government agencies, offered a series of advisements to agencies that paint a concerning picture.
Stop spending
The Michigan Department of Education, which administers USDA food programs, disbursing funds to organizations that fight hunger, has advised the Food Bank Council to temporarily stop spending funds related to the federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which helps low-income, older adults obtain nutritious foods.
According to the USDA website, the program helps about 731,993 individuals each month and received about $389 million annually from the federal budget.
“This recommendation is based on the lack of clarity regarding future reimbursements, which poses a financial risk to food banks if they continue spending without a guaranteed source of funding,” the council said in a press release detailing the situation.
In turn, the council is advising Michigan food banks to stop spending Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program funds, which total about $900 million annually to help organizations across the U.S. obtain foods produced in-state, pending further guidance from the USDA and MDE.
The USDA has confirmed to the council that any LFPA purchases made after Jan. 19 are not currently eligible for reimbursement and it’s unclear when or if they will be.
The recommendation aims to prevent additional financial strain on food banks that may not be reimbursed for purchases from local farms and to help ensure that available funds are “used efficiently and sustainably,” the council said.
Canceled orders
The Food Bank Council of Michigan said nearly $3.7 million worth of food bank orders through an arm of the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program are at high risk of being canceled due to “pricing issues” or “lack of vendor bids.”
Of the 209 total current orders through the program, 118 are labeled “return to AMS,” or the Agricultural Marketing Service, an agency that administered several USDA programs.
“Historically, items marked ‘return to AMS’ are rarely reinstated and, if they are, it is typically too late for food banks to plan around them,” the council said.
The orders are for food items like chicken breast and legs, turkey breast, pulled pork, eggs and shredded cheese. The council said without these shipments, Michigan food banks will lose three to four truckloads of food per month.
The council is calling on the USDA to provide immediate clarification regarding reimbursement and funding for food order programs.
“Delays in resolution will only compound the challenges food banks are already facing,” the council said.
The USDA has not responded to an email seeking comment.
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