CC / Salvation Army
Things are starting to change at the local Salvation Army food pantry.
Lieutenant Samantha Tamayo explained on WOMT’s Be My Guest program that some fresh items at the pantry will not be available in the future due to changes at the federal level.
Tamayo stated, “It will actually go into effect next month is when we’ll see no more fresh milk along with some other fresh items that were previously being supplied through that federal funding.”
Tamayo says the Salvation Army might have to look at new ways of getting fresh produce, which includes talking with FoodWIse from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The program connects food-based nonprofits with farmers who want to donate and make it easier to access fresh produce.
But the community can help as well.
For gardeners, Tamayo says FoodWIse recommends adding an extra row to grow food for the pantry.
“I’m somebody who gardens,” she noted. “I love my garden and how easy it is to just plant an extra row of something I enjoy growing.”
Tamayo says the Salvation Army has met with other nonprofits to prepare instead of reacting to changes in food funding at the federal level.
Another food-centered nonprofit, Grow it Forward, announced cuts to its program last month due to changes in federal funding as well.
