Auburn, Maine – Good Shepherd Food Bank is preparing for recently announced reductions in federal food assistance that will significantly impact people in Maine facing food insecurity. With the cancellation of a key local food purchasing initiative and anticipated cuts to staple food deliveries, hunger-relief efforts across the state face new obstacles.
“These changes pose real challenges to the charitable food network’s ability to provide nutritious food for people across Maine,” said Heather Paquette, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “We are grateful for our strong partnership with Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and our elected officials as we work together to address these federal disruptions. Our focus remains on supporting Maine households in accessing the food they need.”
Both the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) are U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, administered in Maine by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF). The Food Bank works closely with DACF to source and distribute these resources and will continue to advocate for solutions to minimize the impact of federal funding changes.
Loss of LFPA25 Funding
The LFPA program was designed to strengthen local food systems and help food banks source fresh, nutritious food from local producers. However, the USDA has now cancelled the LFPA25 extension, which would have provided $1.25 million in funding to Maine over the next three years. This change represents a projected loss of 500,000 to 600,000 pounds of fresh, local produce Good Shepherd Food Bank would have distributed, through its partners, to families facing food insecurity.
Potential TEFAP Reductions
TEFAP is a long-standing federal program that provides food banks with staple food products for distribution to individuals and families in need. Disruptions to the availability of TEFAP resources will reduce Good Shepherd Food Bank’s distribution by approximately 250,000 pounds of food per month effective in April 2025—a substantial shortfall at a time when food insecurity remains high in Maine.
Maine’s Response
The state legislature is already considering LD 415, a bill to expand its investment in Mainers Feeding Mainers, the partnership between the state and Good Shepherd Food Bank that sources fresh produce and other nutritious foods from 90 local farms to supply food pantries and meal sites across Maine. These newest cuts to federal funding highlight the urgent need for Maine to invest in sustainable, local food solutions that support both farmers and households experiencing food insecurity.
Good Shepherd Food Bank is actively engaging with Maine’s Congressional delegation, Feeding America, DACF, and many of its local partners to address these challenges. While federal funding remains uncertain, the Food Bank is committed to working collaboratively to find solutions and ensure Mainers continue to receive the food they need.
Community Support and How to Help
With ongoing uncertainty surrounding federal food programs, community involvement is more critical than ever. For more information on how to support Good Shepherd Food Bank’s mission, visit https://www.gsfb.org/get-involved/
About Good Shepherd Food Bank
Good Shepherd Food Bank is Maine’s largest hunger-relief organization, working with 600 agency partners to source and distribute nutritious, culturally relevant food across the state. Last year, the Food Bank distributed a record 39 million meals and strategically invested almost $1 million in grants to Maine’s hunger-relief network. Good Shepherd Food Bank is committed to both meeting immediate needs and addressing the root causes of hunger to achieve food security for everyone in Maine.