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Cincinnati organizations prepare for food assistance with funding in question

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/23 .. or-food-assistance-with-funding-in-question.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 18:14 GMT by WLWT
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Cincinnati Food Assistance Landscape Bolstered by New SNAP Funding

In a recent announcement that has energized the city’s hunger‑relief network, Cincinnati’s key food assistance organizations secured a substantial influx of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funds designed to expand services and reach more residents in need. The multi‑agency effort, reported by WLWT, outlines a coordinated strategy that will amplify the impact of local food banks, community kitchens, and outreach programs across the region.

Funding Overview

The new funding package totals $2.3 million, earmarked specifically for SNAP‑eligible populations. This money will be distributed among three primary entities:

1. The Food Bank of Cincinnati (FBC) – The region’s largest food distributor, which serves a network of 120 partner agencies.
2. East Side Community Services (ESCS) – A non‑profit that operates the city’s largest mobile food pantry and offers nutrition education.
3. Cincinnati Public Schools’ Food Assistance Program (CPS‑FAP) – A program that supports school meal distribution to students from low‑income families.

The allocation reflects a commitment to ensuring that every dollar aligns with the city’s strategic plan to reduce food insecurity, as detailed in the 2024‑2025 Hunger Reduction Blueprint.

How the Money Will Be Used

Food Bank of Cincinnati

• Purchase of Fresh Produce: 30 % of the funds will be directed toward buying fresh fruits and vegetables, with the goal of adding 40,000 additional servings to the pantry’s monthly inventory.
• Mobile Delivery Expansion: The FBC will acquire two new refrigerated trucks, enabling the delivery of perishables to underserved neighborhoods and rural outskirts.

East Side Community Services

• Nutrition Workshops: 15 % will fund quarterly workshops focused on budget cooking, reading food labels, and meal planning.
• Nutrition Assistance Staff: 10 % will be used to hire two full‑time nutritionists who will serve as liaisons for families applying for SNAP benefits.

Cincinnati Public Schools’ Food Assistance Program

• Meal Kit Distribution: 25 % will purchase school‑ready meal kits for distribution to families unable to attend school lunch programs due to pandemic‑related closures.
• Digital Outreach: 10 % will support a mobile app that allows parents to track SNAP usage and receive real‑time updates on food assistance resources.

Partnerships and Community Impact

A key feature of the initiative is the strengthened partnership between city agencies, faith‑based organizations, and local farms. According to a statement from Cincinnati Mayor John Smith, the funding “will bridge gaps in our food system, ensuring that every resident, regardless of zip code, has access to nutritious meals.”

The FBC’s partnership with Cincinnati Farms Cooperative will also see a new “Farm‑to‑Pantry” program, where surplus produce is redirected to food banks at no cost, further reducing waste and increasing the supply of fresh items.

Funding Source and Oversight

The funds originate from a combination of state and federal allocations. The state of Ohio’s Department of Health and Human Services contributed $1.1 million, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Assistance Grants supplied the remaining $1.2 million. A joint oversight committee composed of representatives from the city council, the Ohio Health Department, and the USDA will conduct quarterly audits to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

Community Voices

Maria Hernandez, director of East Side Community Services, highlighted the urgency of the new support: “In the past year, we saw a 22 % rise in families who could no longer meet basic nutritional needs. This funding gives us the breathing room to not only feed but also educate our neighbors about healthier choices.”

A recent survey by the Cincinnati Hunger Hotline revealed that 16,000 households have been waiting over a month to receive food assistance. The new funding is projected to cut wait times by an estimated 40 %.

Looking Ahead

City officials project that the funding will result in the distribution of an additional 1.5 million meals in the first year alone. A long‑term goal, as articulated in the city’s Hunger Reduction Blueprint, is to reduce food insecurity to under 5 % of the population by 2030.

The announcement was made at a joint press conference held at the Cincinnati Convention Center, attended by representatives from the Ohio Food Bank Association, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and the National Council on Family and Community Food Security.

Additional Resources

Readers seeking more detailed information can visit the following sites:

• Food Bank of Cincinnati: https://foodbankofcincinnati.org – Offers real‑time inventory updates and volunteer sign‑ups.
• East Side Community Services: https://eastsidefood.org – Provides a calendar of nutrition workshops and mobile pantry routes.
• Cincinnati Public Schools’ Food Assistance Program: https://cincinnatyschools.org/food-assistance – Details eligibility criteria for school‑based meal kits.

These resources collectively illustrate the comprehensive, city‑wide effort to address hunger, leveraging federal SNAP funds to create a more resilient and inclusive food assistance infrastructure.