BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — Two months after federal reductions in USDA food shipments, the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee continues to feel the effects.
In March, the food bank received 301,122 pounds of USDA food products. However, in April, that amount dropped sharply to 198,171 pounds — a decrease of more than 100,000 pounds, according to Kendra Lindsay, spokesperson for Second Harvest.
Despite the reduction, the food bank is adapting to ensure that partner agencies across East Tennessee still have access to necessary food supplies. The mobile food pantry program, which relies on USDA products, remains active and continues to serve various counties.
On Tuesday, the mobile pantry was stationed in Cocke County, where Mayor Rob Mathis estimated that approximately 600 families were served.
“We are doing our best, and we are going to work as hard as we can for our agency partners to make sure they can get the needs they have to meet their neighbors’ needs,” Lindsay said.
The food bank is also exploring new funding opportunities to supplement food supplies, aiming to assist agencies that are struggling with tighter budgets.
Concerns had arisen about whether the federal cuts might affect the Summer Food for Kids program, which provides meals to children during school breaks. Lindsay reassured the community that this program would continue as usual since it does not rely on USDA products.
As the food bank navigates these challenges, its commitment to supporting the region’s food-insecure families remains steadfast.
