By Andi Anderson
As families celebrate Thanksgiving, many reflect on their blessings. However, for some, food insecurity overshadows the holiday. To combat this, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an additional $500 million to stock food pantries in rural, remote, and underserved communities with fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
USDA Undersecretary Jennifer Moffitt emphasized the dual impact of the funding, which supports local food providers and regional farmers.
"Food banks can purchase what their communities need while supporting local farmers and ranchers, boosting regional economies," Moffitt explained. Indiana alone has received $12 million through this initiative to supply its food banks and pantries.
This funding builds on $1.5 billion allocated since 2022 for emergency food assistance programs across the U.S. Moffitt highlighted how connecting farmers to the Emergency Food Network ensures a steady supply of fresh produce for local communities while offering farmers fair market prices.
Victor Garcia, CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, reported that food demand remains as high as during the pandemic. Rising food costs also affect food banks, limiting their ability to purchase sufficient supplies.
Programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program and Emergency Food Assistance Program help close the gap, ensuring consistent inventory for food banks.
In Indiana, with over 94,000 farmers, the partnership between farmers and food banks supports both the agricultural economy and food access for underserved populations.
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana currently serves around 60,000 people monthly, underscoring the critical role of these initiatives in addressing hunger and inflationary pressures.
Through the USDA’s efforts, rural food pantries gain resources to support their communities, ensuring that more families have access to nutritious meals while fostering local agricultural growth.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Indiana, Government & Policy