"As Congress is set to enact deep cuts to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, commonly referred to as food stamps, on Jan. 1, a move that advocates say will lead to a steep rise in food insecurity, the once small pantry that served 60 people is fortifying to feed up to 700 families, according to Executive Director Teale Harden. "We knew and wanted this facility to be a regional asset," Harden said."
"County leaders expect a new surge in food insecure clients in January when Congressional cuts to food stamps in HR1, also known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill," will result in an estimated $70 million annual cut to food stamps for Alameda County residents. The Alameda County Community Food Bank estimates that one in four Alameda County residents is experiencing food insecurity, which disproportionately impacts seniors, children and people of color."
"When Alameda Food Bank moved into the building on Oct. 20, Harden said the facility was almost immediately "pressure-tested" with the lapse in SNAP funding as Congress wrung its hands while attempting to pass a funding bill. The food pantry tries to provide a baseline of produce, protein and stable shelf goods, but the organization has made a 35% cut to that baseline to preserve its resources."
Alameda Food Bank moved into a new warehouse headquarters at 677 Ranger Avenue and is preparing for a projected surge in need in 2026. Congressional cuts to SNAP scheduled for Jan. 1 through HR1 are expected to reduce benefits substantially, creating an estimated $70 million annual shortfall for Alameda County residents. The county already faces high need, with one in four residents experiencing food insecurity that disproportionately affects seniors, children and people of color. The pantry has grown from serving 60 people to preparing to serve hundreds of families and has already reduced baseline offerings by 35% to conserve resources.
Read at The Mercury News
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