(KMAland) — Iowa families could soon face greater challenges putting food on the table as major cuts to food assistance approach.
The budget reconciliation bill passed by Congress this summer is expected to increase food assistance costs across the state, and leaders say charities cannot cover the gap. In 2023, nearly one in eight Iowans — about 400,000 people, including more than 120,000 children — struggled with food insecurity.
Annette Hacker, chief communications and strategy officer for Food Bank of Iowa, warned of a growing ripple effect. She explained that even the organization’s generous donors are feeling financial strain.
“They too, as generous as they are, have to look at their cost of living and what they pay for groceries, and all the commitments that they have,” Hacker said. “It’s all happening simultaneously.”
Cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s emergency food program have already resulted in the loss of more than 1.4 million meals in some regions, forcing food banks to seek other solutions.
Hacker noted that the new budget bill represents the largest reduction to food assistance in history, removing the equivalent of 6 billion meals each year. Still, she stressed that the Food Bank of Iowa remains committed to supporting those in need, currently purchasing 57% of its own inventory to keep shelves stocked.
“The last few years, USDA has made up 25% to 30% of our inventory,” Hacker explained. “But when USDA is diminished – as it is right now – bottom line, in order to keep food coming in the door to stock the shelves, we’ve got to fundraise more.”
Hacker cautioned that this is just the beginning. Within two years, Iowa could face an additional $26 million to $79 million in SNAP costs, depending on the state’s error rate.
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