The Healey-Driscoll Administration and food security organizations are criticizing the Trump Administration for canceling federal funding that was geared towards providing local, healthy food to children and food banks in Massachusetts. This week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Northeast Regional Office confirmed to the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that Massachusetts’ $3.4 million allotment from the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Commodity Credit Corporation bonus food order has been cancelled.
Jean McMurray, CEO of Worcester County Food Bank noted the following:
“The federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is an essential source of nutritious food for 15,570 children, older adults, and hard-working adults assisted every week by the Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB) and our network of local pantries. WCFB distributes enough donated food every day for approximately 21,200 meals; one-third of that food is donated through TEFAP. Prior to the cancellation of USDA deliveries, WCFB and our network were already seeing our food resources stretched thin because of the unprecedented need in the community. Food Banks and food pantries cannot fill the gap created by a reduction in federal food support; less support from USDA means there’s less food on the tables of our neighbors. We applaud Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll for amplifying the devastating impact these cancellations will have on our neighbors struggling with food insecurity.”
Read the full press release from Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll here.
