USDA stops 600,000 pounds of food to Michigan food bank

Feeding America West Michigan has faced delays in receiving 600,000 pounds of food due to changes in a federal program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) canceled or postponed 32 truckloads of food valued at $1.1 million. These shipments were expected to arrive between April and July as part of the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Ken Estelle, the food bank's president and CEO, expressed concern over the situation at a recent event with U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin. He stated the food bank is now working to find alternatives to fill the food gap. The USDA paused the Emergency Food Assistance Program for a federal review, leaving uncertainty about whether the canceled shipments will be reinstated. Feeding America West Michigan serves nearly half of Michigan's 83 counties and provided 26.7 million meals last year. Estelle noted that he had never seen as many truckloads canceled at once. The USDA previously budgeted $500 million for food deliveries through the program, but funding is currently frozen. As discussions at state and federal levels could limit food assistance eligibility, Estelle warned this might increase demand for the food bank's services. He described the situation as a "perfect storm," with rising need and reduced food supply, compounded by underfunding of federal programs. Estelle mentioned that the food bank might need to purchase food to meet community needs. He reassured that there would be food available at distribution centers, although it may differ from what was originally planned.