Feed My People Food Bank (FMP) is deeply concerned about the elimination of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program at a time when the need for food bank services remains high and resources for both the charitable food network and local food producers are increasingly strained.
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In 2024, FMP sourced over 90,000 pounds of fresh produce and protein from Wisconsin farmers and producers enrolled in the LFPA program. These nutrient-rich foods were distributed to over 200 of FMP’s partner agencies, including community food pantries and meal programs. Additionally, eight major food pantries within FMP’s network received food directly through the LFPA program. Without this program, access to fresh, nutritious food for thousands of households in need will now be significantly reduced, worsening food insecurity across West Central Wisconsin.
The elimination of the LFPA program is not the only concern. The Local Food for Schools (LFS) program, a $3.4 million initiative that enabled Wisconsin schools to purchase local food directly from farmers, has also been cut. This decision will affect at least 30 school districts within or partially within FMP’s 14- county service area, limiting students’ access to healthy meals.
These cuts come as additional federal food assistance programs, including The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), SNAP/FoodShare, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for low-income seniors, also face potential funding reductions at the federal level. If these programs are weakened or eliminated, the impact on food security will be devastating, particularly in rural communities where access to food resources is already limited.
“We know that at least one in three households in our service area struggles to meet basic needs,” said Padraig Gallagher, FMP executive director. “Federal food programs —whether through Feed My People or directly supporting the households we serve—are essential to the well-being of children, adults, and seniors. As cuts like these take effect, more and more majority-rural communities are going to run out of
options for assistance. Feed My People has a mission of helping people in these situations, but we will need unprecedented state and local support to meet the need that we see coming.”
As federal assistance programs for food, housing, health and other basic needs are eliminated, more people will be turning to food banks for help. FMP will continue to provide food through its network of partner agencies across 14 counties and will strengthen its programs, including Farm to Food Bank, Project FEED, and pop-up pantries. Meeting this challenge will require strong community support and action. Learn more WITH AN EASY CLICK HERE.
