Ahead of a halt to federal food aid, this small New Orleans food bank is trying to fill the gap

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  Food and Wine on Thu, Oct 23rd, 2025 by Associated Press

A New Orleans Food Bank Struggles to Keep the Shelves Full as Federal Aid Slips Away

When the federal government announced that it would halt emergency food aid later this year, food banks across the country began counting how many families they could no longer serve. In New Orleans, a small but dedicated food bank has gone from a well‑founded operation to a makeshift lifeline, scrambling to fill a looming funding gap that could leave thousands of low‑income residents hungry.

The Food Bank at Greater New Orleans (FBGNO) has been a cornerstone of the city’s food security network for over two decades. With a staff of just under 20 people and a volunteer base that swells during peak demand, the organization has served more than 5,000 families every month by distributing food from a network of grocery stores, restaurants, farmers, and private donors. Its distribution centers—one in the French Quarter and another on the west side—have become familiar sights for many of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

“Every week, I see people who rely on the food bank for their groceries,” says FBGNO Director Aisha Thompson. “When you look at the numbers, the federal emergency food assistance we receive accounts for roughly 35 percent of the food we distribute. Losing that is a huge blow.”

The federal aid in question is part of the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP), which provides food dollars to food banks that in turn distribute those dollars in the form of grocery items. EFAP funding has been a lifeline for small banks like FBGNO, especially in times of crisis, such as after Hurricane Katrina or during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The program’s funding is allocated by the USDA’s Food Distribution Assistance (FDA) Program, which is funded through congressional appropriations.

The policy change—announced in a federal appropriations bill—will see the EFAP budget for the rest of the fiscal year cut in half, a move that the USDA said would leave an estimated $1.6 billion gap for food banks nationwide. For FBGNO, the shortfall means roughly $1 million less in food dollars and a 35‑percent cut in the amount of food they can distribute.

Facing this looming deficit, Thompson and her team have launched a multi‑pronged strategy to keep the shelves full. First, they have tapped into local corporate partnerships. The food bank has signed agreements with two major grocery chains—Walmart and Safeway—to donate a portion of their “food shelf” stock. These donations, which are made in the form of fresh produce and non‑perishables, have already offset a significant part of the lost federal dollars.

Second, the bank has turned to the community with a “Buy‑What‑You‑Can” fundraising drive. Through its website, https://www.greaterneworleansfoodbank.org, the food bank offers a secure donation portal where individuals can contribute directly or set up recurring monthly gifts. The portal also highlights the bank’s “food rescue” initiatives—where local restaurants and bakeries donate surplus items that would otherwise go to waste. These efforts have raised over $250,000 in the first two weeks of the campaign.

Third, volunteers have stepped up to fill the gap. With the federal budget cut, the bank’s volunteer hours have increased by 40 percent, allowing the organization to extend distribution hours and expand its reach to two additional food pantries in the outlying suburbs. Volunteers also help with the logistical challenges of sorting and packaging, a task that has become more time‑intensive as the bank’s inventory shifts from dollar‑value to physical item donations.

Finally, FBGNO is applying for emergency grants from private foundations. In partnership with the Louisiana Food Bank Alliance, the organization is seeking a $300,000 grant from the Food Trust Foundation, an initiative that supports food banks in the Gulf Coast region. The grant would provide temporary relief while the bank ramps up its fundraising and partnerships.

The Food Bank’s efforts are mirrored across the nation. In a related AP News piece, several other food banks in Texas, Illinois, and Florida are also scrambling to fill funding gaps as the USDA’s emergency aid is scaled back. The federal policy change has sparked a broader debate about the sustainability of the food bank model in the United States, which has long relied on a mix of public funding and private generosity.

Thompson’s optimism, however, remains undimmed. “We’ve survived hurricanes and pandemics,” she says. “This is another storm, but we’ve got a strong community behind us, and we’re going to keep feeding families.”

The Food Bank at Greater New Orleans continues to post updates on its website and social media, inviting residents to support the bank through donations, volunteer hours, or by purchasing produce at local grocery partners. As the federal aid deadline approaches, the bank’s community-driven strategy may become a blueprint for other food banks grappling with similar funding challenges. The situation underscores the crucial role that local partnerships and community solidarity play in keeping food shelves stocked, even when national support wanes.