By Andi Anderson
Food Gatherers, a leading food bank in Washtenaw County, is urgently seeking support from the City of Ann Arbor after major federal cuts to its food supply.
In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that its food donations to food banks nationwide would be reduced by 50%. For Food Gatherers, this means a significant loss of food supplies, especially of nutritious items like milk, cheese, eggs, pork, fruits, and vegetables.
"This type of USDA food was 15% of our total food distribution—the equivalent of more than 1.2 million meals. This is highly desirable food: milk, cheese, eggs, pork, fruits and vegetables,” said Eileen Spring, CEO of Food Gatherers.
To maintain their current level of service, Food Gatherers has been using reserve funds to purchase food. However, Spring estimated that an additional $2.5 million will be needed to fill the gap left by the USDA cuts. This amount is far beyond the food bank’s regular operating budget and fundraising capacity.
The food bank has turned to the City of Ann Arbor for emergency assistance. The funds would help replace the lost federal support and ensure continued access to nutritious food for thousands of residents, especially vulnerable families, seniors, and children.
This situation highlights the challenges local organizations face when federal support declines. With demand for food assistance still high, especially in post-pandemic recovery periods, local partnerships are more vital than ever.
Food Gatherers remains committed to fighting hunger but stresses that sustainable solutions require community and government collaboration. The outcome of their plea to the city could determine the future of food security in Washtenaw County.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Indiana, Business