Montana Food Bank Network

Montana’s Food Bank Network is slated to lose $400,000 worth of food from a federal program intended to provide emergency food assistance to low-income populations. That’s according to the food bank network President Gayle Carlson, who said she learned of their financial loss on March 21.

The Montana Food Bank Network, already facing through-the-roof demand for its services, is now seeing more need for holiday food assistance.

The Montana Farmers Union is encouraging local producers to donate meat to food banks this winter.

Over 40,000 pounds of locally produced and processed pork, breakfast sausage and ground beef will soon be donated to the Montana Food Bank Network.

A bill to help food banks purchase goods from local producers stalled in the Legislature last week amid final budget talks.

Montana food pantries sent a letter to officials asking them to continue administering a pandemic-era nutrition program for students. The federal government pays the full costs of administering the program to states that enroll.

Montana lawmakers are showing their appetite for a bill aimed at helping food pantries buy goods from local farmers and ranchers. The program could provide a windfall for small producers in search of new markets.

Food pantry operators have long said it’s a challenge to keep shelves stocked with fresh, nutritious produce. Now, a proposal in the Montana Legislature seeks to make that easier.

Gov. Greg Gianforte is again asking state lawmakers to cut taxes this legislative session, largely building off work he started in 2021. Some lawmakers are also pushing for more relief for low-income Montanans.

Food banks and pantries across Montana are experiencing unprecedented demand for their services while they are receiving fewer donations. That leaves food banks struggling to maintain services.