Food banks in Florida feel the impact of DOGE cuts

Food banks in Florida are facing serious difficulties in meeting the growing demand for assistance, following budget cuts imposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from the White House.

Reductions have impacted key programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), leading to a decline of up to 40% in the annual budget of entities such as Feeding South Florida, which serves more than 1.2 million people across four counties in the southern part of the state, according to CBS News.

The situation reflects a national trend exacerbated by the cuts of approximately 1 billion implemented in March to two federal programs that allowed schools and food banks to purchase food directly from local farmers.

Broken chains: less food, more need

The executive director of Feeding South Florida, Paco Vélez, lamented that federal cuts have left shelves empty since February. “It has not only impacted our ability to serve, but also the possibility for families to survive in South Florida and across the country,” he explained.

With an annual budget of 37 million, a 40% loss represents an operational crisis that has forced a reduction in deliveries and a confrontation with increasing demand, with more people than ever seeking assistance.

Pastors and farmers also affected

Ebenezer Church in South Miami has witnessed the line of cars for food assistance grow week by week. Its pastor, Roberto Blanco, reports that they are receiving fewer products from the Feeding South Florida warehouse, which limits their ability to provide assistance.

Local farmers are also being affected. East Coast Farm and Vegetables, located near Parkland, had collaborated with the federal program to collect and package surplus agricultural products intended for needy families.

Meanwhile, charities are racing against time to provide assistance, despite the lack of resources. "There is desperation," admitted Paco Vélez. "We are doing what we can, but it is not enough."

Bad news for migrants with asylum and humanitarian parole who receive Food Stamps

A new legislative proposal, pushed by Republicans in the House of Representatives and part of Donald Trump's campaign promises, could mark a turning point in access to the benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The initiative not only tightens the employment requirements for beneficiaries, but also restricts access to the program for certain immigrants with legal presence, including those under asylum and humanitarian parole.

One of the most significant aspects is the increase in employment requirements. Currently, adults without dependents up to the age of 54 must demonstrate that they are working to be eligible.

The new proposal "stipulates that individuals must provide evidence of employment for a much longer period, until the age of 64."

Likewise, the conditions for parents with young children are being tightened.

Today, some are exempt from proving employment until the child turns 18 years old.

The proposed legislation would lower that age to just 7 years, which could exclude a significant segment of families that rely on SNAP for their food security.

Restrictions for migrants with legal status

Another central focus of the project is the restriction of access to the SNAP program for certain immigrants with legal status in the country.

Although SNAP "has never been open to undocumented immigrants," those who meet certain conditions can currently access it, such as "having lived in the U.S. for at least five years, receiving disability assistance, and being under 18 years old," as specified by the Department of Agriculture.

This would explicitly exclude those who have been admitted under asylum or humanitarian parole, who would lose the ability to receive federal food assistance.

The same criterion would apply to other benefits, such as the Premium Tax Credit, which currently helps cover the cost of health insurance purchased in the health insurance marketplace.

New financial burden for the states

The proposal also includes modifying the funding model of SNAP, which is currently supported 100% by the federal government.

If the project is approved, states would have to "contribute 5% of the program costs starting in fiscal year 2028 and 75% of their administrative costs."

Furthermore, the states that "reflect errors in providing assistance to individuals from this program" would face even greater financial responsibilities.

For example, "if a state registers an error rate of 10% or more, it will have to cover 25% of the program costs," reads the draft.

Critiques from the food banks

The cuts to SNAP would be, according to its critics, the most severe in the country's history.

"A proposal being considered in Congress could lead to the largest cut to food assistance in United States history," warn organizations such as the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

This institution urged lawmakers to "reject the proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid" and stated that the consequences would be "devastating."

In a context where "nearly 50 million Americans are facing food insecurity, the highest rate in over a decade," it is noted that this is the "worst possible time to cut SNAP."

Impact of budget cuts on food banks in Florida