Federal Funding: What the future could hold for Mendo Food Network

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Amid national concerns over federal support for food banks, the Mendo Food Network is facing uncertainty about key funding sources and the termination of others.

Amanda Friscia, the network’s executive director, said some of the funding the network receives from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has been paused, there also been some instability in food supplied through the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture uses CCC funds to purchase surplus agricultural commodities to support farm prices and provide food assistance. These commodities are distributed to low-income Americans through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

Friscia said the network was expecting an additional $25,000 in administrative allocation from the CCC in 2025, which has now been put on hold. She also noted the possibility of reductions in the bonus food received through the program.

The LFPA, a USDA program administered in California through the California Association of Food Banks, aims to connect local and regional farmers with food banks. It was launched in December 2021 with initial funding of $900 million. The program’s goal was to help create a resilient food supply chain and a fairer food system by investing in family farmers and rural economies. Although it was extended for three years, the USDA informed states in March that funding for fiscal year 2025 would not be available.

In Mendocino County, the Mendo Food Network receives agricultural products from local farmers through the MendoLake Food Hub. Friscia said the hub delivers about 200 boxes of fresh produce to a pop-up distribution point in Willits.

“The nice thing about the box was it was already pre-assembled, so it made it very easy to give out, instead of us having to, you know, come up with bags and pack it up. But we can do it either way,” she said.

Friscia said her biggest concern is that federal funding accounts for approximately 40% of the Mendo Food Network’s annual budget through grants and program contracts. She warned that significant cuts could lead to a “huge deficit,” potentially impacting payroll and programming.

A separate, substantial state-level program for purchasing locally grown food is also ending, further compounding the financial strain.

“We’re going to have to really get creative with what we’re doing,” she said. “We do have a good amount of donated food that comes in, but it’s not enough, you know, to sustain what the need is right now.”

Despite reports that immigration enforcement fears are keeping some families away from food banks, Friscia said they have not seen a significant drop in the number of people seeking assistance in Mendocino County. She cited community outreach and education as potential reasons. The network also has not seen the typical seasonal drop in demand.

The Mendo Food Network currently serves approximately 15,000 people in Mendocino County through 30 partner organizations. About 5,000 of those individuals are served directly by the Fort Bragg Food Bank.