Food banks struggling to fill gaps – Brownfield Ag News

Report on Food Banks Facing Challenges Amid Federal Nutrition Program Cuts

Overview

On June 27, 2025, concerns were raised by Emily Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, regarding the impact of federal reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on food security in the Midwest. This report highlights the struggles food banks face in meeting increasing demand and emphasizes the importance of sustainable solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger.

Current Challenges for Food Banks

• Food banks across the United States, including Indiana, are experiencing difficulty in fulfilling the growing need for food assistance.
• More than 1,000,000 residents in Indiana are at risk of hunger, with demand rising notably since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Charitable food providers are unable to compensate for the reductions in federal support, as SNAP currently provides nine meals for every one meal supplied by Feeding America affiliate food banks.

Impact of Federal Funding Cuts

1. Federal cuts to SNAP threaten to exacerbate food insecurity, creating additional barriers to food access.
2. In Indiana, the decision by the governor’s office not to participate in the SUN Bucks program resulted in a missed opportunity to provide $120 in grocery benefits to every eligible child statewide.
3. This decision leaves many families vulnerable, especially since SNAP benefits do not increase during summer months when children are out of school and may lack access to school meals.

Importance of SNAP and Sustainable Development Goals

• SNAP remains a critical resource for families facing food insecurity, supporting SDG 2: Zero Hunger by helping to ensure access to sufficient and nutritious food.
• Addressing food insecurity through robust federal programs and community support aligns with SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by reducing hunger-related health risks.
• Collaborative efforts between government agencies, charitable organizations, and communities are essential to close the gaps in food access and promote sustainable food systems (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production).

Conclusion

The ongoing challenges faced by food banks amid federal funding cuts underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat hunger. Strengthening SNAP and related programs, alongside community initiatives, is vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring food security for vulnerable populations in Indiana and beyond.

Additional Resources

For further insights, listen to the interview with Emily Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry:

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses food insecurity, the role of food banks, and the impact of federal nutrition assistance programs, directly relating to ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty – Food insecurity is closely linked to poverty, and the article highlights the struggles of low-income families to access sufficient food.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Adequate nutrition is essential for health, and the article implies concerns about the health impacts of food insecurity.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 2 Targets:
   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving targets on stunted and wasted children under 5 years of age.
2. SDG 1 Targets:
   • Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions.
3. SDG 3 Targets:
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being (nutrition is a key factor).

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Prevalence of food insecurity: The article mentions “more than 1,000,000 Hoosiers at risk of hunger,” implying the use of indicators measuring the proportion of population facing food insecurity.
2. Number of meals provided by food banks and SNAP benefits: The comparison of meals provided by Feeding America affiliates versus SNAP (“For every one meal… SNAP provides nine”) suggests indicators related to food assistance coverage and adequacy.
3. Participation in nutrition assistance programs: The article references federal cuts to SNAP and the non-participation in SUN Bucks, implying indicators tracking enrollment and benefit levels in social protection programs.
4. Child nutrition during school breaks: The mention of SNAP benefits not changing when kids are home for summer points to indicators measuring child food security and access to nutrition outside school periods.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: brownfieldagnews.com