‘There is a difference between scaling back the federal footprint and callously stripping food from families who rely on it for survival.’
Cleveland’s Mayor Justin Bibb expressed his reaction to the Trump administration’s decision to cancel an order for more than 500,000 pounds of food intended for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank (GCFB) from April to July.
The GCFB reported that out of the 30 truckloads of food ordered from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation, 20 shipments have been halted, amounting to about 553,000 pounds of food valued at $1 million. The canceled food items included milk, eggs, chicken, pork, and turkey.
In a statement released on Thursday, Bibb condemned the Trump administration’s move, stating, “I am deeply outraged by the Trump Administration’s unjust decision to withhold 553,000 pounds of food that was intended to help Ohio families in desperate need. This egregious action not only deprives half a million individuals, including children, served by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, but it also threatens the health, safety, and well-being of our Northeast Ohio community.”
This week’s news comes as the Greater Cleveland Food Bank also deals with the impending loss of nearly a million pounds of food from the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program this summer as part of cuts by the Trump administration.
“There is a difference between scaling back the federal footprint and callously stripping food from families who rely on it for survival. The starkness of this distinction is so profound that it is almost unimaginable that such a decision could even be considered, let alone executed,” Bibb added.
Amid federal cutbacks, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank is also dealing with uncertainty at the Ohio Statehouse. Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed budget calls for a nearly 25% reduction for food banks, roughly $7.5 million.
“This disruption comes at a critical time, as need remains high and food costs continue to rise. Last year, we served more than 424,000 individuals — nearly 25% of them seeking assistance for the first time. Continued, reliable USDA food deliveries are essential to meeting this demand and supporting families across our service area and the state of Ohio,” the GCFB stated in its update to 3News.
Bibb says his administration “will continue to stand in full support of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, offering both our time and resources in solidarity with the residents we serve.” He also encouraged residents to consider making a donation to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
“Your contribution will help provide a lifeline to those who need it most.”
Federal cutbacks are also impacting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, who say they may have “close to 3 million pounds LESS food in 2025.”
