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Local food advocates urge county action as federal cuts squeeze pantries and farms
Summary
At the Tompkins County Legislature’s June 3 meeting, food‑system advocates — including the Food Policy Council, Food Bank of the Southern Tier and United Way — urged the county to support local food infrastructure, citing lost USDA shipments, rising pantry demand and an opportunity to invest in resilience.
Several community leaders addressed the legislature during the public comment period on June 3, urging proactive county investment in the local food system amid federal program changes.
Don Barber, chair of the Food Policy Council and member of Tompkins Food Future, said local systems proved nimble during COVID but warned of new national pressures. "Ninety percent of the food consumed in Tompkins County is imported from huge agribusinesses," Barber said, arguing that more local sourcing and planning are needed. Sarah DeFrank of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier reported a recent loss of USDA commodity shipments equivalent to about 215,000 meals valued at over $434,000 and said pantries are replacing those truckloads with less nutritious alternatives.
United Way of Tompkins County President and CEO Michael Ramos described rising client numbers and urged partnership: "How can we ensure that everyone who needs it can get SNAP? How can we ensure that everyone is reached who cannot leave their home for food?" Loaves & Fishes Executive Director Kelly Sauve highlighted local demand spikes — her organization provided more than 65,000 meals last year, a nearly 40% increase from the year before — and called for county support for transportation, staffing and local procurement.
Speakers asked the county to treat food access as a public good, not a charitable afterthought, and suggested coordination, modest investments and use of county procurement to strengthen local markets and pantry supply chains. Legislators and staff acknowledged the concerns and noted this topic will intersect with budgeting and program planning.
