Larson Visits Connecticut Foodshare Mobile Pantry in East Hartford, Urges Federal Action to Support Food Banks

“The Mobile Pantry program is an innovative effort to meet residents where they are with fresh, nutritious foods – during a time of the year when many kids are left without the breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school year,” said Larson. “I applaud Connecticut Foodshare, led by Jason Jakubowski, for their tireless work to feed families in need across our state. When the Trump Administration abruptly canceled 1.4 million pounds of produce and meat CT Foodshare was set to distribute this summer, we joined together to speak out. While I am pleased to see some funds set to be restored, we continue to demand answers for these senseless cuts that took food out of our children’s mouths, and the full reinstatement of federal support for organizations like Connecticut Foodshare. No child should go hungry in the United States of America.” 

“1 in 7 Connecticut residents, including 1 in 6 children, are facing food insecurity right now. Those are families and neighbors in every town across the state. Federal nutrition programs like SNAP and TEFAP are essential to our work of providing more than 45 million meals each year across Connecticut and we are grateful for Congressman Larson’s steadfast support,” said Jason Jakubowski, President & CEO of Connecticut Foodshare. 

After the Trump Administration canceled $500 million in federal funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in March, 1.4 million pounds of food were kept off of pantry shelves in Connecticut, including 34 truckloads Connecticut Foodshare was set to receive and distribute this summer. 

On Friday, Rep. Larson sent a letter with Rep. Hilary Scholten (MI-03) and 32 other Members of Congress demanding the reinstatement of TEFAP and the Administration’s plan to mitigate food insecurity and ensure food banks continued to operate effectively.  

40 million people rely on the Feeding America network that includes Connecticut Foodshare. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to make up some of their cuts from earlier this year, they have not released any information about the future of TEFAP or why funding was canceled in the first place. 

“We have heard from many concerned constituents, our local organizations, food banks, and farmers in our district are unsure how to proceed. This cancellation affects the livelihood of so many in our districts and is a matter of life or death for some,” the lawmakers wrote. “Farms, food banks, and nonprofits across the country are already struggling to meet current needs. Though we acknowledge your expressed intention to purchase $230 million in produce from American farmers earlier this month...this amount falls short of covering even half of the cancellations. We demand the full reinstatement of funding and supplies for Feeding America and that your agency retroactively compensate for any appropriate funds.” 

The full letter is available HERE. 

Photos from today’s visit are available HERE.