Impact of USDA Cuts on Local Farmers and Food Banks
The recent cuts to cornerstone USDA programs have had a devastating impact on local farmers and food banks in Houston. These cuts, which include the elimination of funding for SNAP-Education, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, have pulled billions of dollars from the food system that once supported small farms and charities.
Effects on Local Farmers
For farmers like Jeremy Peaches, who runs Fresh Life Organic Produce Co., and Karena Poke, who operates Lettuce Live Farms, the cuts have been particularly harsh. Peaches estimates that his farm has seen a 40 percent drop in sales, while Poke has been forced to turn away customers due to a lack of funding. These farmers, who were once able to rely on USDA grants and programs to support their operations, are now struggling to stay afloat.
The Role of USDA Programs
USDA programs, such as the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, were designed to support local farmers and food banks. These programs allowed food banks to purchase produce directly from local farmers, providing a much-needed source of income for these farmers. However, with the cuts to these programs, food banks are no longer able to purchase produce from local farmers, leaving them without a vital source of income.
Impact on Food Banks
The Houston Food Bank, which distributes food donations to an average of 1 million people each year, has also been severely impacted by the cuts. The food bank, which once purchased around $8 million annually in produce, specialty goods, and meat from local farmers and ranchers through USDA-supported programs, is now facing a projected loss of over 20 million pounds of food per year and $3.5 million for distribution costs.
Elimination of SNAP-Education Funding
The Trump administration’s decision to eliminate all $536 million in funding for SNAP-Education has also had a significant impact on local food banks and farmers. SNAP-Education provided nutritional and public health education for non-profits, including food banks, across the nation. The elimination of this funding has resulted in extensive layoffs at the Houston Food Bank, with 70 related positions set to be eliminated by September 30, 2025.
Efforts to Adapt
Despite the challenges posed by the cuts, local farmers and food banks are working to adapt. The Houston Food Bank is increasingly relying on its retail pick-up program, which receives donations from grocery chains like H-E-B and Randalls. Farmers like Peaches and Poke are urging other farmers to seek out new buyers and to build up their communities. While the details are still unclear, it is clear that these farmers and food banks will have to find new ways to survive in a system that is no longer supporting them.
Conclusion
The cuts to USDA programs have had a devastating impact on local farmers and food banks in Houston. These cuts have pulled billions of dollars from the food system, leaving farmers and food banks without the support they need to operate. As the farmers and food banks work to adapt to this new reality, it is clear that they will have to find new ways to survive. Despite the challenges, farmers like Peaches and Poke remain committed to their work, and are urging others to do the same. As Poke says, "We understand that the odds may be against us oftentimes, and because the odds are against us, we just press. We just keep pressing. We find a way to make it work."
