4/2/2025

Dear Friends of the South Benton Food Pantry,

Recent federal actions have led to the cancellation of national food contracts, impacting both school lunch programs and food banks, including here in Oregon and our partner, Linn Benton Food Share. These changes will primarily affect “Bonus” USDA foods, which supplement the core food supply we receive.

Starting in April and continuing through June, we anticipate a significant reduction in the availability of certain nutritious items, specifically:

• Fresh Milk: Approximately 13,000 lbs less
• Fresh Potatoes: Approximately 40,000 lbs less
• Cheese: Approximately 2,500 lbs less
• Other Fresh Produce: Approximately 10,000 lbs less (apples, oranges, etc.)

These “Bonus” foods, funded through the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation, are highly valued by those we serve. While our core USDA food supply remains secure, this temporary reduction will impact the variety of fresh items we can offer.

Therefore, the reduction of the USDA bonus commodities, coupled with the rescinding of the LFPA funding, creates a compounding negative effect on food banks, and the people they serve, as well as the local farmers that supply fresh food.This combination of the reduction of national USDA food contracts and the loss of the LFPA program will have a very negative effect on local food banks and the people they serve.

We are working hard to explore alternative sourcing options and will keep you informed of any significant changes to our distributions. Your continued support is greatly appreciated as we navigate this situation.