EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) canceled two federal programs that provided about $1 billion in federal funds to schools and food banks to buy food directly from local farms.
One of the programs being cut is called the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA). The program allowed local food banks like El Pasoans Fighting Hunger to buy fresh produce.
“It’s been a great program over time. The food bank here in El Paso has been awarded about $2.2 million to purchase food from small farmers. The next round was supposed to take effect this summer,” said Susan Goodell, CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger.
Goodell adds that the recent cuts will impact the food bank like others across the country.
“The vast majority, over 99 percent of the food that we get here in this community is donated. We cannot depend on local food supplies because we’re a desert. And so, there’s very little food production here in El Paso. So, we are reliant on programs like LFPA and like getting food from other parts of the country,” Goodell said.
Goodell said that in addition to the program cuts, another concern for the food bank is the potential tariffs on goods coming from Canada and Mexico.
“Over 40 percent of our food supply is fresh produce, and a very large percentage of that comes from Mexico. There’s just so much to try to navigate right now. And I don’t have answers, but we are doing our very best to handle all of the things coming at us,” she said.
Officials add that donations are especially important right now, and every dollar donated is quickly converted into seven meals for someone in need.
To donate, visit https://elpasoansfightinghunger.org/donate.
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