Food shipments to Ventura County food bank canceled
Amid funding cuts by the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has canceled about eight truckloads of food that were destined for Food Share of Ventura County.
Monica White, CEO of the nonprofit food bank which feeds about 250,000 county residents a year, made the announcement March 27.
She said the agriculture department had previously suspended the shipments of essential food items including milk, pork chops, cheese, eggs and chicken, totaling 213,000 pounds valued at $400,000.
White since got word that the shipments had been officially canceled, “affecting our ability to feed our hungry neighbors,” she said in a press release.
Food banks throughout the country are experiencing similar cutbacks.
Federal support constitutes about 25% of the food that Food Share of Ventura County distributes annually, equating to five million pounds, White said.
In addition, the food bank receives $838,000 annually, representing 10% of its operating budget, through USDA, she said.
“While these developments present challenges, we are pursuing alternative solutions to ensure that our community continues to receive the nourishment it needs,” White said.
“The reality is that we rely on you – our donors, volunteers and local partners – to ensure food assistance remains available for the one in four people facing hunger in Ventura County,” she said.
White said her organization will continue to monitor further risks to its federal funding.
“With your support, we remain confident Food Share can navigate these uncertainties and will always be here to nourish our community,” she said.
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