‘It’s in a chaotic state’: Virginia food banks feel the effects of federal funding cuts

GenerateKeyTakeaways BobLatvisknowstheremayoftenbechangesinfederalfundingforfoodbankswithanynewadministration.Thistimethough,manyVirginiafoodbanksareinastateoflimboastheywaitforfederalsupport. ThefirstTrumpadministrationprovidedtrademitigationsthatincreasedavailablefoodforfoodbanksandtheBidenadministrationprovidedCommodityCreditCorporationfundstohelpfoodbankspurchaseanddistributeresources.However,roughly$500millionincommoditycreditfundingwascutinMarch,$200,000ofwhichwasheadedfortheVirginiaPeninsulaFoodBank. MorethanathirdofthePeninsulaFoodBank’sfundingcomesfromfederalprograms,accordingtoLatvis,whoisthefoodbank’sChiefExecutiveOfficer.Roughly80%ofthatcomesthroughrecentlycutcommoditycredit,withtherestcomingthroughTheEmergencyFoodAssistanceProgram,arecurringprogramwhichisupforrenewalinSeptember’sfarmbill. “That’sthebigthing,thatthere’ssomuchambiguityanduncertaintythatit’sinachaoticstate,”L