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My Turn: Without federal help, Foodbank and its network face empty shelves

May. 25, 2011
Burlington Free Press
Written by Judith Stermer

As Congress crafts a budget that addresses our nation’s long-term fiscal challenges, the Vermont Foodbank and our network partners — 280 food shelves, meal sites, shelters, senior centers and after-school programs — are urging our elected officials to safeguard nutrition assistance and other safety net programs. The number of families struggling to make ends meet increased significantly during the recession. With unemployment still hovering near 6 percent, the need for food assistance continues to grow and the Foodbank and our network are already pressed to meet the need in our communities.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is an income-based federal program that provides food at no cost to low-income Americans in need of short-term hunger relief through organizations such as the Vermont Foodbank. Healthy and nutritious foods provided through this program are an essential resource for the continued success of the charitable food system.

In 2010, the Emergency Food Assistance Program provided approximately $655 million worth of nutritious foods to low-income Americans. Budget proposals look to reduce spending by as much as 50 percent over the next year. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank distributed nearly 2 million pounds of TEFAP commodities which was more than 25 percent of our total distribution. A cut of this magnitude would have overwhelming consequences. The Foodbank and our network partners could not provide even the current levels of food assistance without support from TEFAP, nor could we meet added demand if the funding levels and structure of SNAP (3SquaresVT here and formerly the Food Stamp Program) and other federal nutrition programs are eroded as has been proposed by Congress.

In Chittenden County, the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf relies heavily on the Emergency Food Assistance Program to meet the growing demand for food assistance. Each year, the Food Shelf serves more than 12,000 Vermonters who are struggling with hunger. TEFAP provides the Food Shelf with foods high in protein, fruits, vegetables and staple food items such as cereals, pastas, with special foods for vulnerable populations including children and seniors. The proposed cuts to TEFAP would devastate operations like the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf, which are already struggling to meet the rising demand for their services.

If TEFAP food purchases drop as expected by 50 percent, the Vermont Foodbank and our network partners will likely face empty shelves, beginning this summer and continuing into the holiday season and beyond. With one in seven of our Vermont neighbors struggling with hunger, demand for charitable food continues to increase across Vermont. We must keep TEFAP and all of the nutritional safety net programs strong — the health of our communities depends on it.

We urge you to contact the president, Congress and the USDA to let them know that you support the federal government doing its part to feed our hungry neighbors here in Vermont, and across the country during these trying times. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, and they will direct your call.

Judith Stermer is director of communications and public affairs for the Vermont Foodbank in Barre.