JUST FOOD OF DOUGLAS COUNTY FACES 30% CUT IN TEFAP FOOD DISTRIBUTION
- Just Food
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Maggie Bashore
Email: creative@justfoodks.org
JUST FOOD OF DOUGLAS COUNTY FACES 30% CUT IN TEFAP FOOD DISTRIBUTION
LAWRENCE, Kan., April 3, 2025 — Just Food of Douglas County will receive about 30% less food from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in the coming months. Harvesters, Just Food's regional Feeding America partner, was notified that orders for 40,000 cases of TEFAP meat, dairy, eggs, and dried fruit — scheduled for distribution between April and August 2025 — have been canceled.
TEFAP is a federal nutrition program designed to help low-income households supplement their food sources through food banks and pantries. On average, TEFAP food accounts for 6,000 to 8,000 pounds of food distributed by Just Food each month. More than 5,500 individuals in Douglas County rely on TEFAP food through Just Food.
“TEFAP is one of the only food sources we receive at no cost, and losing 30% of these shipments will have a significant impact,” said Jessica Cooney, Director of Impact at Just Food. “With grocery prices remaining high and ongoing uncertainty, many in our community are already facing difficult choices. Reductions like this add to the growing strain on families relying on food assistance and the organizations working to support them.”
As federal cuts to food assistance continue amid a challenging economic climate, access to nutritious food is becoming increasingly difficult for many households. Community support remains critical in ensuring food access for all. Those looking to help can donate funds, contribute non-perishable food items, or contact their elected officials to advocate for strong federal nutrition programs.
More information on how to support these efforts can be found at https://www.justfoodks.org/give.
About Just Food of Douglas County
Just Food is the food bank of Douglas County, serving 300-600 families in its pantry each day and supplying food to more than 30 partner agencies. Just Food’s mission is to end hunger in Douglas County by increasing access to healthy foods, reducing barriers to health and well-being, and cultivating self-sufficiency.
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