Cancelation of federal funding source for food impacts FeedMore WNY

FeedMore WNY has learned that a key federal funding source used to purchase nutritious, American-grown food items has been terminated, significantly impacting FeedMore WNY’s work to meet the increasing demand for food assistance.

The USDA has confirmed that $500 million in TEFAP food purchases, funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), have been permanently canceled. TEFAP, which is short for The Emergency Food Assistance Program, is a federal program that provides nutritional assistance to help low-income individuals and families.

In 2024, FeedMore WNY received more than $4 million worth of food through the CCC program, enabling the purchase of proteins, produce, and dairy items that were then distributed to our partner food pantries, soup kitchens, and other hunger-relief agencies serving food-insecure community members across Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

In terms of the immediate impact, twelve pending CCC orders, for delivery to FeedMore between May and August 2025, were canceled. Those twelve orders consisted of truckloads of food including chicken, turkey, pork, cheese, and eggs. FeedMore WNY estimates the cancellation of this funding will result in a loss of more than $3.5 million worth of food this year.

In 2024, FeedMore WNY distributed approximately 15.8 million pounds of food through its food bank distribution network. About 2.1 million pounds (roughly 13% of the total pounds distributed) came from TEFAP CCC food purchases.

The federal funding cut comes at a time when FeedMore WNY and our partner agencies are experiencing increased demand for services. Last year, FeedMore WNY assisted 165,722 individuals – including approximately 53,400 children and 41,200 older adults. This was a 46 percent increase compared to people served in 2021.

The CCC funding has been an essential source of nutritious TEFAP food for FeedMore WNY and our hunger-relief partners as we respond to the ever-growing need for food assistance. These cuts will not only affect our most vulnerable neighbors – like children and older adults – but also the thousands of hard-working families who are facing impossible choices between purchasing groceries and other basic needs.

Despite the challenges wrought by these funding cuts, FeedMore WNY remains committed to fulfilling our mission of providing nutritious food and support to hungry community members of all ages. We will continue to serve our hunger-relief agencies and work with our community partners to offer dignity, hope and brighter futures to our Western New York neighbors in need.