Food banks and hunger relief organizations across the region are facing unprecedented challenges as they grapple with the lingering effects of the pandemic, rising food costs, and impending federal funding cuts to United States Department of Agriculture food programs and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
While food insecurity has long been a problem, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a temporary surge in local and federal funding for food assistance programs and these supports are dwindling, leaving food banks struggling to keep up with increasing demand for assistance.
A 2023 report on food insecurity in King County found that the number of people experiencing food insecurity in the county has been increasing since 2022, and numbers remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. The Data shows that all of King County is underserved by the existing network of food security organizations, with South Seattle and south King County community members more likely to experience food insecurity. The listening sessions with hunger relief organizations took place in October 2022, but the findings remain relevant today, as food insecurity continues to be a pressing issue.
“The budgets for food banks are being stretched thin and the food that is purchased is not enough to meet the needs of community,” said Yamila Sterling, director of Food Access and Education for Solid Ground, an organization devoted to eliminating poverty through basic needs provision, education, and community advocacy.
Programs including the Local Food Assistance Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program have seen cuts in the hundreds of millions, gutting crucial support for food banks to purchase from local farmers.
Before the creation of these programs, many food banks had already developed relationships with local farmers to increase access to fresh, locally grown food. With added financial assistance from the LFPA and TEFAP programs, local food banks were able to pay fairer prices to local farmers, further contributing to a strong local food economy. In addition to cuts to USDA food assistance programs and SNAP benefits, cuts to AmeriCorps are also stripping food banks of essential programming support.
The implications of these cuts are harrowing, and local hunger relief organizers are calling on community to mobilize in advance of the crises that are to come.
“It’s hard to not feel overwhelmed by the constant bad news,” said Joe Gruber, director of University District Food Bank. “Yet, we should find ways to ground ourselves and build connections. Neighborhood food banks provide opportunities for neighbors to come together around the common belief that everyone deserves the right to access healthy and culturally familiar food.”
Ways to help support local hunger relief organizations:
- Donate: Cash donations allow food banks to buy in bulk and tailor purchases to preferences of nearby residents, prioritizing culturally relevant food items.
- Volunteer: Food banks rely on volunteers for programming support, food distribution, and home deliveries for those with limited mobility. Leverage your interests and passions to find skilled volunteer opportunities that could be of crucial assistance to your local hunger relief organizations.
- Stay civically engaged: Advocate for policy changes and stay up to date with local food policy.
- Support local farms and parallel organizations: Many farm operations help supplement hunger relief organizations with fresh produce. Things you can do to support local farms are shopping at farmers markets, buying from their storefronts, and signing up for a CSA. Check out Washington Farms | Local Farm Finder to find local farms and CSAs.
- Share homegrown produce: Some food banks accept donations of produce. Contact your nearby foodbank to see if they will accept excess produce from your garden or p-patch. When planning your garden, consider planting an extra row for your local food bank or even just to share with your neighbors. Check out King Conservation District Community Agriculture Map to find growing opportunities near you.
- Do not let apathy take over: The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that it is possible to mobilize effectively in support of community during times of need. Channel strong emotions into action; find and build connections with community organizations to ground yourself in as situations get tougher.
Whether it’s by donating money directly, volunteering, or growing food on your own to donate or share, it is never too late to begin thinking of ways to leverage your passions and interests to assist community organizations in advance of crises.
“There will be food shortages for all of us,” said Sterling. “Build relationships with your neighborhood food banks and local hunger relief organizations directly to determine what they specifically need.”
Check out the following resources for more information on local hunger relief:
South King County Food Coalition
Comida – Alimentando al Pueblo
Pasifika Food Networks – Pacific Islander Community Association of WA
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