Food Banks in Crisis: State Cuts and Federal Uncertainty

A perfect storm is brewing in Ohio's food security network. As state budget cuts loom and federal programs terminate, food banks across the Buckeye State face unprecedented challenges in meeting skyrocketing demand.

Jory Novotny, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Food Banks, takes us behind the scenes of what she calls "Food Banking 101." The association, formed in 1991, serves as the backbone for 12 regional Feeding America food banks supporting 3,600 local pantries across all 88 Ohio counties. Through innovative programs like the Ohio Food Program and Agricultural Clearance Program, they've created a system that simultaneously addresses hunger while supporting local agriculture and preventing food waste.

But this carefully balanced ecosystem now faces serious threats. Governor DeWine's proposed budget includes a $7.5 million annual cut to state food programs, while the USDA has terminated the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program that connected food banks with 170 Ohio farmers and vendors. Meanwhile, although funding for programs like the Senior Box Program hasn't officially decreased, inflation means those same dollars buy significantly less food than before.

The numbers tell a sobering story: from July through December 2023, Ohio food banks served more visitors than during any comparable six-month period in nearly 35 years. Where they once provided 6-8 days worth of groceries per visit, they can now only offer about 5 days worth. Fresh produce, often the first casualty of budget constraints, has already disappeared from some distribution channels.

Beyond emergency food assistance, Novotny emphasizes the interconnectedness of hunger with other systemic issues like healthcare access. Many pantry visitors face impossible choices between affording food or medicine, highlighting why the association has expanded into healthcare outreach and "food as medicine" initiatives.

Want to help? Financial donations stretch furthest, but volunteering remains the backbone of the system. Perhaps most importantly, contact your elected officials about supporting food bank funding at both state and federal levels. After all, as Novotny reminds us: "Every person has to eat every day."

To support Ohio's food banks, visit ohiofoodbanks.org to connect with your regional food bank or local pantry for volunteer opportunities and donation information.

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