'Nothing is sacred at this point': USDA cancels eggs, dairy and meat delivery to food bank
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star
Fri, March 28, 2025
The federal government has canceled truckloads of dairy, meat and eggs expected to be delivered to Ventura County's regional food bank over the next few months.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture previously suspended seven shipments of milk, cheese, chicken, pork chops and eggs and others nationwide, said Monica White, president and CEO of Food Share. She had heard from other organizations about cancellations, but as of early Wednesday, the system still showed the local shipments on hold, she said.
Later that day, the status changed. The seven truckloads and one additional shipment for the Oxnard-based nonprofit were "officially canceled," White said. The roughly 213,000 pounds of food would cost an estimated $400,000 to replace.
"We have to figure out where we're going to get the funds to be able to buy more food, because we have to fill this gap," she said Thursday.
What other federal cuts could affect food banks?
In all, Food Share receives around 25%, or 5 million pounds, of its food from the USDA. The local organization also receives $838,000, or 10% of its total budget, from the federal agency.
The funding and food comes from a variety of programs, and some now face possible steep cuts. Those include emergency food programs funded by the decades-old federal Commodity Credit Corporation, one of which provided the now canceled shipments.
It remains unclear how else Food Share could be affected, but White called the federal funding uncertain.
"Nothing is sacred at this point," she said. "We have no reason to believe that this is not going to continue down a path of less food during a time when there's more need."
Food Share reported a more than 170% increase in the number of food recipients since 2019. Close to 250,000 people received food at a local pantry or distribution site last year, according to the organization. Most did so three or fewer times a year.
Will cuts cause immediate food bank shortages?
Volunteers distribute boxes at a Food Share event at College Park in Oxnard in November 2024.
A USDA spokesperson previously told The Star that the Biden Administration had created "unsustainable programming and expectations" for the Commodity Credit Corporation. White had not received an explanation from the agency about the recent disruptions, she said.
Instead, Food Share discovered the cancellations via a web-based system that tracks shipments. In an email sent to community members Thursday, she said officials were pursuing alternatives to keep food available. They also were appealing to elected officials, she said.
For now, White doesn't anticipate immediate shortages. The warehouse stores roughly six weeks worth of food and the organization relies on a variety of government programs, private donations and other sources, White said.
"We may have to fast track some of the food that we were planning to purchase later in the year," she said. "We may have to purchase that now and maybe just kick the can down the road and hopefully the funds will arrive so we can purchase more when we need it."
As word spread about potential cuts, she received a flood of calls from people asking how they can help, she said, calling the community support "very, very uplifting."
For more information about the organization or to find food distribution sites, visit foodshare.com.
Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star.
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Food is woke and contrary to MAGA values...
No, let them pay me in my beautiful bit-coin for the eggs which they cannot have, the milk which they cannot drink, all out of my wonderful golden sneaker alll for me, alll tax free
Fuck Trump. Hard. These are not the actions of the country I grew up in and love.
Actions matter now.
They always have.
More than ever it is time to focus on helping the needy. Because this nation can not bear up on seeing more people on its streets-without dignity and begging. We could barely support the ranks of the homeless as it is now. If MAGA thinks that Americans failing to feed other Americans is what will help this country; to have wealth and power resting in the hands of its elite hierarchy. . . then the time is now for a judgement on MAGA to take place. The ordinary folks trapped in the lower quadrants of status and position will have to fight to get them off. Actions matter now!
"fuck the less fortunate" - maga geezus
future starvation of the revenge and retribution party is now on the table ... cool ...
How much you want to bet that after suffering all this "government efficiency" we still have ballooning deficits?
trumpski's doge incompetence will make the 7 trillion in US debt added from his last term seem like chump change ...
You are right because nature can not be mocked. The best laid plans of mice and men can all fall under Murphy's law. Think: Covid. There are plenty unknown calamities that will spite this nation and make its soulless recount their misunderstandings about the world they inhabit.
DOGE has just 1 purpose, that is to make Trump's next millionaire tax cut seem paid for. Of course only MAGA will actually believe that.
So what is the USDA going to do with the milk and eggs? Let Them rot??
Probably...
And that is the point. Cruelty and severity is the thing. The lie is we can reduce waste and inefficiency by utilizing waste and inefficiency as a force against itself. It's futile. I guess we could try to make people earn the foodstuffs by taking what little they have acquired. . . .
Follow ideology over practicality and let's relearn the lessons of history all over again. One important one: The original colonists left England and many were compelled to leave because there was nothing in England that its elite would do for them, besides oppress them for not conforming. But that did not result in England being a better country. Just look at it today. The nation is an exceptional and commonplace country today.
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I actually collect and deliver food for a smaller food bank in Ventura County, but the meager private donations I collect don’t compare to truckloads of food. We can’t spend a few million to feed hundreds of thousands of people, but we somehow need to spend billions on a new fighter jet . Priorities.
I know and understand your point exactly. It is a good service done by a caring nation—not a overly-greedy one bent on self-righteous motivations. It is sickening to see foodstuff go to waste. . . and, it is dishonoring to animals and plant life alike to waste its essence through taking life and allowing rot and service to no-one. It is a shame how this nation swings back and forth, persistent in relearning its lessons about what life and humanity is all over again!
Much ado about nothing....again..
From the article
"For now, White doesn't anticipate immediate shortages. The warehouse stores roughly six weeks worth of food and the organization relies on a variety of government programs, private donations and other sources, White said."
What is not in the article is how much of this food is wasted through expiration or spoiling. I wonder how much of that exists. We should have no problem getting food in the right amounts needed instead of over doing it and later wasting it.
Private donations can definitely make up for any shortages.
Here in Florida, we have a group called Feeding Northeast Florida, that relies on private donations and volunteer help. This organization fulfills a large amount of food for the needy and church food banks supply much of the rest.
Listen to those who feed people on a daily and weekly basis, not mere ideology and wishful thinking.
You say you wonder, but I don’t see you trying to find out. Instead, I perceive that you assume it goes to waste. Does some bias inform your wondering?
Here is another quote from the story that should give you something to think about:
Since demand is increasing, isn’t it more logical to assume that it’s not going to waste?
Simply common sense thinking. I don't see where bias fits into this, why do you?
"Since demand is increasing, isn’t it more logical to assume that it’s not going to waste?"
Nope. This also from the article..
"A USDA spokesperson previously told The Star that the Biden Administration had created "unsustainable programming and expectations" for the Commodity Credit Corporation."
Also, the FDA goal is to reduce food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030, so it is only common sense to believe much of what the government provides is going to waste.
Just because you have a feeling about something, that doesn’t make it “common sense.”
You still haven’t supplied another justification for assuming the food goes to waste, so bias is reasonably inferred.
That does not logically lead to a conclusion that the food goes to waste. It says only that supplying the food is difficult.
That doesn’t show that this particular food has been going to waste.
Common sense you say.. people are saying common sense isn't very common.
some people, in fact a tremendous amount of people, are wondering where the evidence is, yet again .common sense isn't very common.
just wondering...
In this case, it does,
"You still haven’t supplied another justification for assuming the food goes to waste, so bias is reasonably inferred."
Are you trying to say all perishable goods donated to food banks go to someone?
That thinking is unreasonable. I proved my point by showing that the US wants to reduce food waste by 50 percent. Reasonable thinking would include food donated to food banks.
"That doesn’t show that this particular food has been going to waste."
Unreasonable to think it doesn't
You are clearly demonstrating prejudice against this program. The article plainly states that demand in this location has increased, and says nothing about the food here being wasted.
The issue with private donations is consistency, plain and simple. The numbers of private persons able at any given time to assist has one consistency: fluctuation. A regard that significantly impacts and damages the effort. That is, government is constructed to do this work in synch with the public. . . the private sector (profit driven) will not. It's been tried before in the past. . . and the judgement was this: The government has an essential role in feeding its citizens.
They can, but in point of fact, they don’t. There are, in particular, many super wealthy people who could make up for it, but don’t even try.
And furthermore, it has been proven that no one person, church, or group can give as freely as the collective all of us in the form of the government. Churches alone simply don't have the bandwidth to feed the nation, no matter its mission, storage capacity, or conviction.
For a government that likes to declare that we are a “Christian nation,” you would think feeding the hungry would be a top priority.
The problem is their version of the Gospel. It relies not on scripture, but its own denominational self-righteousness. They forget this in Romans 18:18 "18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." That includes women and transgendered ("all" is the operative word).
Self-righteousness is its own reward or impediment to moral good. It seeks not greater than being 'right'—in itself. It has led the road down many dark paths away from the liberty God expresses. . . that is, to keep this short, one could ask: How much so would this so-called, "Christian Right/Nation" like it if God dealt with them SELF-RIGHTEOUSLY?
The other issue is similar: Their strict-father upbringing and dedication to its ideology. These Christians are constant "sheep" defined by being led by someone in authority. Ironically, they say that makes them free. Yet, its obvious they are guided by being under the authority of somebody they consider their 'shepherd' in this world—usually a pastor/leader of their varying faiths or a president into whom hands they place their trust/lives. They become their human guide's sheep second to God above.
Yet another issue: The sad, stupidity of enveloping their God, Bible, and country into One. They are continuously sitting under influences which tell them that this land is their land granted to them (alone) by God and all they have to do is 'take it' and hold it by Faith. (Old Testament teaching.) And so they strike out against their fellow citizens, whom care not whom they serve nor are interested in what they read, to make them subservient to their (whims/wishes) based on personal and private belief.
That is obviously folly for our constitution is of men created by flesh for fleshly following. So deceived and delusional have these people permitted themselves to become they self-righteously think that the Earth belongs to them alone.
"feed hundreds of thousands of people."
How many hundreds of thousands are we talking about? Just in Ventura County???
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food. We cannot feed these thousands unless you perform some sort of miracle.” 16 Jesus replied, “How many thousands are we talking about? Just in Ventura County???” - Matthew 14:13-16
jbb, thank you for the article and exposing those among us that care nothing for humanity.
Who begrudges food to the poorest of people at bread lines and soup kitchens across America?
MAGA do...
People that lack empathy and mouth the words, but fail to live the example of a true humanitarian.
It gets worse, MAGAs either don't want the food or assent to its destruction from the mouths of their own poor. It's being drunk on ideology.
And you know this how? I mean, you've polled everyone you think is MAGA (whatever that means) and know that they do not donate their own money/resources/time to food banks and other charities? It's pretty established that conservatives give more than progressive liberals. Sorry if that's inconvenient for any virtue signalers that may be present.
You see, it’s perfectly fine to give billions to the already richest man in the world, but we draw the line at feeding the hungry. We’re not made of money.
I know this article says so. Did you read it?
Who does it say is cutting off assistance?
It is morally wrong to despise people over food to the Needy. After all, 'everybody' is our neighbor. As to who gives, 'everybody, can give according to their ability.
In what sense do you mean "give"? Like handing $5 to the homeless person outside the grocery store or the kind where 'giving' returns a needed service, like getting stranded astronauts off the space station or getting rural access to the internet?
I was responding to what you said, jbb, not the article. So, are you saying that what you said is a lie according to the article?
A transactional Christian faith is a morally wrong Christian faith. Why? Because it exposes Christianity as a fraud that does not mean what it states about itself.
In the sense that he was not required to pay it back or do anything beyond enrich himself with it. Which he did. But when other people want or need government assistance, he gleefully cuts them off from it and calls them “parasites.” Seriously, fuck that asshole.
If all you care about is how it calculates into GDP, the 5 bucks you give a homeless guy goes back into the economy, too, ya know? But if you care about doing the moral thing, that 5 bucks probably means more to a homeless man than even $30 or $40 Billion does to Musk.
Generally so. Not in every category or set of circumstances. For instance, conservatives tend to give more to local religious causes and cultural giving while liberals prioritize local, national, and global giving.
The astronauts were "travel delayed" or "transportation challenged", not stranded. Plans made in August 2024 came to pass as scheduled in March of 2025.
As far as rural people getting wireless access to the internet, fuck them, it's probably a blessing in disguise that
they don't get more addicted to the evil web.
Their brains already turned to mush watching Fox News, it can't get any worse letting them access the internet. Worst case is they might accidently stumble on some facts, though its far more likely they would use their internet access to confirm their already held biases and just search up and frequent Qanon conspiracy theory websites and RT.
Hey, man. I live in a rural area. I get shitty DSL line that (with phone) costs over $150 per month.
Empathy is weakness so saith Elon Musk
Again, what do you mean by 'enrich himself'? Do you mean make a profit for services rendered? If not, do you mean the government just gave him a bunch of money for the sole purpose of giving him money and no expectations of a return in value?
Right. $5 given to a homeless person creates more jobs than the billions 'given' to Musk. I'd really like to see you break down the math on that.
Well, I'll give you creativity points for this, at least.
I can almost agree with this.
Where does Musk say such? Or are you just interpreting his view that charity isn't the function of government but, rather, the individual?
cool, no more tax credits for thumper madrasas ...
And, by extension, every other 501(C)3? Do you ever think before you speak? I mean, like, ever? Churches are tax exempt because they benefit society by the services they provide the community in which they exist, thereby relieving the government of responsibility, as it should be. Charity should be the responsibility of individuals, not government. Just a little bit of thinking makes this obvious. It prevents an environment where people do not show indifference towards those in need. Progressives think they are so morally superior in claiming the government has the responsibility to care for the disadvantaged. The reality is that they are just pushing the responsibility for their neighbor onto someone else so they don't have to deal with it directly.
I am, of course, speaking in generalities. There are people on both sides of the divide who do spend their own time and efforts to helping the disadvantaged, but the difference between the divide is that the Left uses this issue into convincing you it isn't your problem, it's the governments. So they ask you for more and more power until you have none left.
While I'm technically responding to you, I'm actually speaking to everyone else who may read this. That's because you're proven to not take anything seriously. Statistically, you're just going to come up with some one-liner you think will sound pithy and other thoughtless people will vote it up. Just like the comment I quoted above.
why does a secular government spread the cost of religious tax exempt entitlements across all taxpayers, even when the majority of taxpayers are not religiously inclined. why are religious businesses exempt from taxes, especially when they attempt to end-run the law with their morality riders? why are some religious businesses more flagrant in openly flaunting their allegiance to one political party in violation of the establishment clause?
I don't take religion or any other grifting seriously. statistically, you're just going to come up with a full page of fact free bullshit attempting to justify the oldest scam upon humanity in history. freedom from religion is just as valid as freedom of religion in america. some people find LGBTQ as disgusting, intrusive, and as offensive as others find public displays of religious nonsense. push religion, expect equal push back.
Why does a secular government spread the cost of cancer research tax exempt entitlements across all taxpayers, even when the majority of taxpayers do not have cancer?
They aren't.
If they are businesses, then they are taxed and what you're saying doesn't apply. A Christian bookstore, for example.
good questions
and no one-liners
geezus may save them in their next life, but even his dad made sure he didn't get a second chance on earth. don't even get me started on their original written legacy of pedophilia, incest, patriarchy, genocide, and slavery ...
Now it is seen. Now it is evident. The conservatives (MAGA) in this country want the people of this country to feel them in every sphere of their lives. Nothing is unreachable. Including 'old' and superfluous foodstuffs. Strict control over the minds, earnings, and stomachs of the United States in its entirety has always been what conservatives are about. Many whoul understood this 'beast' bearing down on us spoke to the country in forewarning, but many have to see and be impacted by the beast itself-for themselves.
Not a damn thing is left untouched in the world of MAGA. Like a "DUNE" worm, MAGA is crawling through the systems of this country consuming each at its leisure. . . oh yes, its hunger will come back for second, third, and infinite numbers of passes.
Correction:
Sorry for butchering that at 8.
Talk about the opposite of Jimmy Carter, whew! Literally taking food from the mouth of babes in this administration.
Not mentioned much in news but apparently the eggs Trump is trying to get shipped in from foreign countries are the grade of eggs reserved for the making dog food or pet food.
And if you have ever seen recalls of pet food Jyst realize that we have no recourse for poor quality in the human food supply.
Trump firing FDA, food inspectors, health department workers and the list goes on getting sick or dying is unavoidable. You can rest assured there will be no criticism of any negative policy since Trump and Republicans won't take responsibility.
The time is fast approaching to stop looking at the problems caused and start shaping the future solution. How so? Well, since Trump can't be asked and pleaded with to change his attitude and ways. . . look beneath him to the GOP leadership and membership in the congress and in the states. . . . Let them know they individually have no 'heat-shield' that will protect them from reprisals, charges, and all-around cruelty to the people. Trump is beyond (feeling) reproach. Time to see if those beneath his cabinet are free of the shame they let him envelope on their behalf. Let's call them out and call them literally.
This is how the MAGAverse see Trump...
This is how the rest of America see Donald Trump...
Well, we all die. Thing is I want to go quietly in my sleep not swimming in my own filth as I die from dehydration due to a dysentery caused by a food borne illness
When are we going to accept that overpopulation is the root cause of this and many other problems. There are just more people than we can take care of.
I don't follow your train of thought: What over-population exactly?
Having more people than food is an example
The article is about the federal government actively cutting off, causing disruptions, and cancellations of foodstuffs leading to anticipated food bank shortages at a time when more people are utilizing the aid program.
More people, for whatever their stated condition is, can't buy their food that indicates overpopulation is a problem. There are way more food banks now than there used to be.
I am pointing out the underlying cause.
Well, then, it can't be both ways. If overpopulation is the problem, then the nation needs more abstinence or birth control measures—that being made outlaw behavior by the GOP party ultimately throughout the nation. Still, it is not the topic of this discussion.
The food is available and is being SHUTOFF or stored away from the people in this country whom can receive it. And, that is morally wrong having nothing to do with people numbers. It implies a lack of willingness on the part of the "Powers that be" to feed whomsoever it can.
It will give citizens cause to be justified in having a host of grievances against this leadership. The implication of food being used as a weapon to corral the public is morally wrong.
I agree more birth control is needed.
The operative question in this case is this: What about available food distribution to the Needy?
who pays the bill?
The question needs more substance (context/background/details).
And nothing comes back. Go figure.
I don't think that's the only underlying cause. Poor education doesn't help. Being stuck in dead end jobs which goes back to my first point. And rising inflation
The planet can actually support enough food for the more than 8 billion on the planet. It's not the "feed" so much as the "greed" that prevents us from doing so. It's why massive amounts of food go to waste.
We produce enough food to feed 10 billion people. So why does hunger still exist? | by Jeremy Erdman | Medium
What our planet does have a problem dealing with is the human footprint and our effect on climate and the environment which is at a tipping point. We have reached the veritable Rubicon and are enjoying that temporary moment of weightlessness just before freefall begins, the apex of the rollercoaster as it were, before the inevitable stomach-churning drop. Not for the planet of course, it will be fine, but the parts of the planet that are habitable for humans will continue to shrink if humans continue to ignore or refuse to accept reality.
I hope the federal government cancels the FDA loads that I am shipping out.
Don't need the extra work or a hassle of tracking down incomplete information on consignees- including the proper addresses and contacts for prescheduling deliveries weeks in advance. Then trying to convince receivers that are supposed to know what they are doing to sign the BOL with the number or cartons received, date and time, and their names. The smart ones have a computerized stamp to automatically fill in the information after the BOL is scanned. The dumb ones I have to email the BOL to and beg repeatedly to fill it out properly. They just can't be convinced that the FDA will not accept the shipment was received in good order unless the BOL is filled out properly.
About the only good thing I will say is like other transportation companies we gouge the hell out of the government for the shit they put us through moving their loads. The bidding process to get these loads is almost comical. DEI definitely plays a part in winning bids for transportation companies. Our CEO is a good Brandonite/Democrat and emphasizes DEI throughout the company- even if he has to outsource jobs to the Philippines to do it.
"As word spread about potential cuts, she received a flood of calls from people asking how they can help, she said, calling the community support "very, very uplifting.""
So, a local problem found a local solution? Damn.
You mean a charity didn't rely on the government for everything?
Damn the left is gonna be mad
Thus, the federal level of involvement, never justified, was proven to be excessive. It’s all DOGE food, now.
You mean there was a very good chance that because of that excessive involvement, there was a large amount of waste to perishable foods just sitting around warehouses
Call me surprised s/
It seems to me that you are having a separate discussion all your own.
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