Trump administration cuts impact NWI food organizations

Chicago Tribune

a day ago

More cuts from President Donald Trump's administration have affected Northwest Indiana, shifting and canceling funds for those who provide food.
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana announced a nationwide funding pause for the Senior Community Service Employment Program, which the organization called an 'unexpected pause' that has disrupted daily operations and impacted team members who work to maintain food access.
'As the food bank becomes more efficient in serving more friends and neighbors in Lake and Porter counties, we are already finding ourselves in challenging situations given some of the constraints with new policy at the federal and state level,' Victor Garcia, president and CEO of the food bank, said in a news release. 'This is not the time to be taking even more resources from sister nonprofits like the food bank and others in the community that benefit from this program that's offered with federal dollars through the American Association of Retired Persons.'
The food bank supports about 2,000 seniors each month, according to the news release, providing them with a stable income and keeping them engaged with the community. Funding changes have made everyday operations more demanding for staff.
The Northwest Indiana Food Council is among national organizations affected by the termination of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's $400 million Regional Food Business Centers program.
A representative for the Northwest Indiana Food Council was unavailable for comment.
The program was created by Congress during former President Joe Biden's administration, using one-time, temporary funding. According to the USDA website, the department terminated the program because it 'should not have been established in this manner in the first place.'
'The Biden Administration created multiple, massive programs without any long-term way to finance them. This is not sustainable for farmers who rely on these programs, and it flies in the face of Congressional intent,' said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in a release. 'USDA will honor existing communities for over 450 grants to farmers and food businesses to ensure planning decisions on the farm can continue as normal, however stakeholders should not plan on this program continuing. Any remaining funds will be repurposed to better support American agriculture.'
Eight Regional Food Business Centers have selected or issued Business Builder grants, according to the USDA, but the Great Lakes Midwest portion has not.
The Great Lakes Midwest center is run by the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, and it provides coordination, technical assistance and capacity-building opportunities through financial assistance for farmers, producers and other food business owners.
Jahi Johnson-Chappell, director of Michigan State's Center for Regional Food Systems, said it's 'incredibly disappointing and angering' to see the food business center program terminated, especially because it provides millions of dollars to food programs in Midwestern states, including Illinois and Indiana.
'We really targeted how this could give back to communities, not just making sure that businesses were financially sustainable, but they were contributing to food access, equity, nutrition and diversity in their local food systems,' Johnson-Chappell said. 'These resources are very much needed. … We know small and mid-sized food and farm businesses are the backbone of resilience.'
Cutting the program hurts the credibility of the USDA, Johnson-Chappell said, and he worries how farmers and food businesses will continue without the assistance the program provided.
Effects from the program cuts are seen immediately, Johnson-Chappell said. Farmers in the Midwest are losing about $2 million almost immediately, he said, because they've had to cut grant applications and programs.
Michigan State's Center for Regional Food Systems will look for ways to close gaps and help provide funding to those in the Midwest who need it.
'It's infuriating because we know these programs were effective,' Johnson-Chappell said. 'We know they're needed. … I don't know what (the USDA) will do with the money now.'