Food banks benefit from trade disputes
Government support means more for needy
The Trump administration’s escalating trade war with China and other nations threatens job losses, higher prices and loss of export markets for many American businesses.
But food banks and the mostly lower-income people who rely on them could be unlikely beneficiaries, with more food and greater selection. Meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables are among the highlighted items.
When the White House announced it would offer support to farmers facing lower sales abroad – in retaliation for higher U.S. tariffs slapped on foreign imports – it meant the U.S. Department of Agriculture would start purchasing food products for distribution to socialservices groups, such as food banks and
child-nutrition programs.
Among these is a plan to buy roughly $1.2 billion in agricultural commodities the administration claims are “unfairly targeted” by foreign nations, especially China.
That could mean more food and possibly greater selection for people like Mary Buchanan, who has taken advantage of food distribution at United Food Bank in Mesa, Arizona, in recent weeks while her husband pursues a disability claim.
“It helps make ends meet, and it’s a blessing,” said Buchanan, 57, a certified caregiver. “It frees up money to pay other bills.”
The government’s tariff-remediation program to help farmers, along with a bonus food program that the USDA administers each year to buy surplus harvest commodities, could mean an extra 4 million pounds of food for United Food Bank starting in October. That’s an increase of about 20 percent for the nonprofit.
Other food banks around the nation also will receive increased shipments.
Ironically, the extra largess could exert a strainon food banks, many of which are seeking higher monetary donations and additional volunteers as they struggle to distribute increased volumes of meat, dairy products, produce, bread and much more.
United Food Bank is seeking to raise an extra $350,000 in coming months to get the increased food out, primarily to partner agencies.
“We need to move (donated food) within 12 days of receipt,” said Dave Richins, United Food Bank’s president and CEO.
United Food Bank relies on 2,000 volunteers each year and expects to need more to distribute the extra quantities.
The government is pursuing several programs to boost U.S. agricultural exports and assist farmers facing foreign retaliation.
Of the $1.2 billion or so of purchases to be spread over the 12 months starting Oct. 1, pork is expected to account for nearly half, $559 million, followed by apples, oranges/orange juice, dairy products and pistachios – each at more than $80 million. The government also plans to buy other items, from beef to blueberries, peanut butter to macadamia nuts.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the programs will allow Trump to strike long-term trade deals while easing short-term pressure on farmers.
“Farmers will tell you that they would always prefer to sell a good crop at a fair price, rather than receive government aid, and that’s what longterm trade deals will accomplish,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in July. “But in the meantime, President Trump has promised that he will not allow American agriculture to bear the brunt of the unjustified retaliation from foreign nations.”