The Trump administration in late March slashed $500 million that had already been allocated to food aid nationwide through the Emergency Food Assistance Program. That canceled 124 scheduled deliveries to Missouri food banks.

nks, according to data obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture by ProPublica and shared with The Independent.

Food banks across the state said they have largely made up shortfalls from the March cuts by increasing their food purchases. But some food bank leaders worry that hunger in Missouri will increase with the implementation of changes signed into law this summer to federal assistance programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

“Food banks are the safety net to the safety net,” said Leigh Anne Haun, executive director of Fee

See Full Page