DUNEDIN, Fla. — Federal spending cuts to the Department of Agriculture for food programs have some food pantries concerned.

What You Need To Know

  • President Trump and DOGE have cut USDA programs that help food insecure people 

  • Florida received around $46.4 million from the USDA before cuts

  • Dunedin Cares provides food for 50 to 75 families on any given day 

Florida received around $46.4 million from the USDA through the local food purchase assistance program established under the Biden Administration in 2021. President Trump and DOGE cancelled that program.

Dunedin Cares is a food pantry in Dunedin that provides food for 50 to 75 families on any given day. Executive Director Kristina Garcia says it’s vital for so many families in need.

“We are what you call a choice food pantry, which is kind of unique, so our guests come in and they get a number, and they literally shop with a cart,” Garcia said.

Garcia says that some of the items come from donations, but a big portion comes from Feeding Tampa Bay.

With the federal cuts, she is worried about the future.

“We don’t know yet to be honest, we will have to see, if the USDA loses funding, that’s who funds Feeding America which funds Feeding Tampa. Feeding Tampa Bay funds all the agencies, that’s what we are considered, an agency,” Garcia said.

There may be some relief in Florida as the state Senate’s proposed budget is allocating $50 million for food bank grants.

If passed, it includes two grant programs through the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

One is for $12 million to expand food banks in rural areas and the other is $38 million to help food banks buy products from Florida farmers.

However, while food insecurity is addressed in the Senate budget, the House Agriculture proposal doesn’t include either program.

For Garcia, she is worried about future funding.

“We hope to be able to continue to keep our donor base and that would be allow us to purchase some of those items but there is no way we will be able to keep up with the supply and demand, its just not going to be possible,” Garcia said.