Food Banks Face Crisis Amid Federal Cuts, Rising Demand

Food banks in the U.S., particularly in the D.C. area and New York, are facing significant challenges as federal funding cuts coincide with rising food costs and growing demand for assistance. The Trump administration's recent reductions, including a $1 billion cut to federal programs supplying American-grown food, have led to fears that local food banks may need to serve more people with less or more expensive food, straining their resources. In New York, food prices have surged over 25% since 2019, with state and local officials warning that further federal cost-cutting could deepen food insecurity, especially as emergency pandemic-era benefits have lapsed. These funding cuts are forcing organizations to seek alternative resources or reduce assistance, risking increased hunger and hardship for vulnerable families. As food insecurity rises nationally, advocates stress the urgent need for robust state and local efforts to ensure access to affordable food.