Funding Cuts Impact Local Food Bank

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — (WDEF) The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is facing a major setback after losing nearly $400,000 worth of food deliveries due to recent federal funding cuts. The loss is already being felt in the form of missing essential food products, particularly high-cost protein items like milk, cheese, turkey, and chicken.

Jeannine Carpenter, the food bank’s Chief Communications Officer, says these types of items are both expensive and difficult to replace quickly.

“Of those loads, 11 were proteins—so milk, cheese, turkey, chicken—which are expensive for the food bank to now have to seek out and purchase,” Carpenter said. “They’re hard to secure in the same volume we’re used to distributing, so there’s certainly a lot of extra work in the short term.”

In response, the food bank is actively working to make up for the missing food. Carpenter says their food sourcing team is already on the job, looking for alternative options and partnerships to help fill the gap.

“We have a phenomenal food sourcing team who is looking and will find ways to replace some of the lost food,” she said. “But the impact means we’re now having to think long-term—how long can we keep making up for this loss?”

Despite the setback, Carpenter emphasized that the Chattanooga Area Food Bank remains committed to its mission.

“What’s important for the community to know is that the food bank is going to continue doing what we do,” Carpenter said. “We’ll find a way to serve our neighbors.”

The food bank is encouraging community members to support their efforts through donations and volunteer work as they continue addressing this growing need.