(AFBF) — As food banks struggle to keep up with dramatic increases in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers and ranchers are eager to work with the Agriculture Department to bridge the supply gap and get farm products to those in need, according to a letter from the American Farm Bureau Federation and Feeding America. The organizations praised USDA’s leadership through …
Food Banks Struggling With Too Much Milk
A USDA program designed to buy and distribute almost $50 million in dairy products is overwhelming food pantries in Iowa and Illinois. An Associated Press article says River Bend Foodbank CEO Mike Miller says about 80,000 half-gallons of milk will be sent to food banks across the Quad City (Iowa) region through March. The large rise in milk donations comes …
Trade War Benefiting U.S. Food Banks
Food banks are benefiting from President Trump’s trade war with China. USA Today reports the tit-for-tat trade war offers more variety for U.S. food banks through the administration’s trade mitigation package for farmers. With the Department of Agriculture buying commodities to help ease the burden on farmers, those items will show up in U.S. food banks, including meat, dairy products, …
Agri View: Peanut Butter-A Requested Food Donation
Everett Griner talks about the many reasons peanut butter is a great, requested, food donation in today’s Agri View. Except for a small number of people who are allergic to peanuts, peanut butter is one of the most requested foods by organizations that work to feed hungry people. No food-contributing organization is more helpful to meeting the needs …