Federal Cuts to Food Programs Will Hit Rochester Hard — Here's What You Need to Know

Across Rochester, food banks are bracing for impact as the federal government slashes crucial funding for food assistance programs. The ripple effects are already being felt — and if left unaddressed, these cuts could deepen hunger in some of the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.

What’s Happening?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced a $500 million reduction in funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a key source of nutrition support for food banks across the country. In Rochester, this decision hits close to home. According to Foodlink, our region’s leading hunger-relief organization, the cut translates to 17 truckloads of food — valued at over $655,000 — that will no longer make it to local families.

Why It Matters for Rochester

Rochester is no stranger to food insecurity. In 2022 alone, the percentage of people struggling to access enough food in Foodlink’s 10-county service area jumped from 9.3% to 12% — that’s an additional 33,500 people in need of help.

Even more troubling: Rochester’s 14605 ZIP code, which includes Upper Falls and Marketview Heights, now has the third-highest food insecurity rate in New York State — a staggering 29.8%. This means nearly 1 in 3 residents in that neighborhood regularly go without enough food.

Our Food Banks Are Already Stretched Thin

On the ground, local food pantries are sounding the alarm. The Geneseo-Groveland Emergency Food Pantry reports that the number of families seeking help has doubled. Manager Deb MacLean notes, “We’re seeing an increase in demand. A lot of families. A lot more new families.”

This surge is happening while supplies are dwindling — a dangerous combination that could leave many without access to basic nutrition.

A Wake-Up Call for Our Community

Feeding America’s Vince Hall put it plainly: "We’ve never seen a moment like this before. The demand for food assistance is at an all-time high, and now federal support is shrinking." This isn’t just a temporary inconvenience — it’s a public health crisis in the making.

If we allow these cuts to stand without action, the consequences will be widespread: increased childhood hunger, worsening mental and physical health outcomes, and more families falling through the cracks.

What Can We Do?

This is where Rochester shows up. Foodlink is urging residents to take two important actions:

1. Donate — Every dollar, every can of food makes a difference.

2. Advocate — Contact your elected officials and demand they restore funding to federal nutrition programs.

3. 
   

As Julia Tedesco, CEO of Foodlink, says:

“We urge everyone to reach out to their elected representatives to let them know that cuts to federal nutrition programs will force millions of Americans into poverty, and impact the collective health and wealth of our community.”

Chiara’s Commitment

Chiara is committed to fighting hunger and food insecurity in Rochester. That means supporting community-based solutions, standing up to dangerous budget cuts, and advocating for sustainable food systems that ensure no child, no senior, and no working family ever goes hungry in our city.

If you’re ready to join us in this fight, stay engaged. Donate. Volunteer. Speak up.

Let’s build a Rochester where every plate is full — together.