USDA Cancels $250,000 TEFAP Order to the Chester County Food Bank
Exton, Pennsylvania, April 2, 2025 — It is with urgency and concern that the Chester County Food Bank announce that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cancelled CCFB’s food orders from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) for the quarter beginning April 1, 2025.
Goods impacted by this order cancellation include cheese (net value $25,209), pork chops (net value $22,695), chicken breasts (net value $25,560) and eggs (net value $36,728), amongst other necessary goods — altogether equating to a net value of $250,000. This food was destined for our most vulnerable neighbors whose income is 185% of the federal poverty level or less.
If this trend continues, the Chester County Food Bank could potentially lose upwards of $1 million worth of food from the USDA, weakening our ability to meet the growing need of individuals facing food insecurity in Chester County.
To make up for this loss in food supply from TEFAP, the Chester County Food Bank would have to spend significantly more than $250,000 to purchase these much-needed food items at retail prices.
The Chester County Food Bank has also recently lost $145,000 in Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) funds used specifically to provide food to families by partnering with local growers right here in Chester County.
Without these funds, not only would we be shorter in supply of much-needed food for food insecure families in Chester County, but our local growers would also lose support. To help shoulder this weight, however, the Chester County Food Bank will continue to partner with local growers with our own dollars.
“The cancellation of these orders are going to have a significant impact on our operations, and they couldn’t come at a worse time” said Andrea Youndt, CCFB CEO. “We are currently experiencing a cost of living crisis in Chester County and Southeastern Pennsylvania. We need more support now, not less.”
For an organization that distributes five million pounds of food to over 40,000 Chester County residents per year, this additional loss in TEFAP food would be devastating to the Chester County Food Bank and the Chester County community.
“The best way for the general public to help at this point in time is to be an advocate” said Nick Imbesi, Director of Community Relations. “Your voice has power, and we urge you to contact your federal lawmakers and request they rescind this decision immediately.”
“With all of this being said, however, we at the Chester County Food Bank would like to offer reassurance and hope with our promise that we will always be there to serve our cherished neighbors and partners no matter the circumstances” said Andrea Youndt, CEO.
For media inquiries please contact:
Nick Imbesi, Director of Community Relations
Nimbesi@chestercountyfoodbank.org
610-873-6000 EXT 124