The recent cancellation of federal funding dedicated to bolstering Massachusetts' food security has local leaders and organizations up in arms. The Trump Administration's decision to pull back $3.4 million from the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) destined for food banks across the state has stoked fears of increased food insecurity among families and students. A report from the Mass.gov news reveals that the USDA has also axed the Patrick Leahy Farm to School State Agency Grant Program, leaving Massachusetts short of $384,446 in expected funds without an explanation for this sudden change.
Reacting to these cuts, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey questioned the rationale behind the decision. "Why does President Trump keep taking away food from our children and families?” she said, citing the essential role of food banks in ensuring nutritious food access, according to Mass.gov. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll also expressed concern about how these changes could affect community bonds and health, which seemingly runs counter to Trump's public health goals.
Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler emphasized the importance of the now-cancelled farm to school grants for local food connections and student health. Russell D. Johnston, the acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education, echoed these sentiments, highlighting how local food ties into the educational experience for students. These sentiments underscore concerns shared by various local leaders regarding the implications of diminishing federal support for food assistance and education.
A cascade of negative effects from these cutbacks is predicted by experts and officials. "The cancellation of the Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant program and TEFAP, coupled with the termination of the Northeast Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement programs, has a cascading impact across the local food system," Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle said, pointing out the broad reach of these cuts, as detailed by Mass,gov. This comes in the wake of the Trump Administration also slashing funds from additional programs that supported the purchase of local, healthy food for Massachusetts communities.
Voices from the front lines of food assistance, such as Catherine D'Amato, President and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank, articulated the dire straits their organizations face. D'Amato called TEFAP a "vital program" and specified that the federal government's cancelation would force them to raise additional funds to make up the deficit. Jean McMurray of the Worcester County Food Bank and Andrew Morehouse from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the critical nature of these federal food sources for their operations. Kelly Proulx of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank highlighted the real-world impacts of these cuts, stating that it makes their work "even more challenging."
Project Bread, a resource for individuals experiencing food insecurity, has also voiced its dissatisfaction with the reduction of federal support for food assistance programs. "We are incredibly disappointed to hear that this federal administration is continuing to attack food assistance programs that support our most vulnerable populations," said Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread, as reported by Mass.gov. The organization's FoodSource Hotline continues to provide essential assistance to those in need despite these adversities.
