ISDA announces $2 million to Indiana food banks

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana food banks will receive $2 million to support their efforts in feeding Hoosiers, according to an announcement from Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

The funding was part of the biennial budget provided by the Indiana General Assembly. The distribution amounts were determined using the Emergency Food Assistance Program fair share percentages for Indiana, which captures poverty and unemployment levels in each county.

“Indiana farmers are skilled at growing an abundance of safe, reliable food and food banks and pantries have the necessary resources and skills to distribute large amounts of food to help community members in need,” said ISDA Director Don Lamb.

“We are so thankful for the work food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and others do for their communities in helping food-insecure Hoosiers.”

This following food banks will receive funding in fiscal year 2025:

• Community Harvest Food Bank — $197,800.

• Dare to Care Food Bank — $75,200.

• Food Bank of Northern Indiana — $233,600.

• Food Bank of Northwest Indiana — $198,800.

• Food Finders Food Bank Inc. — $195,800.

• FreeStore Foodbank — $16,000.

• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana Inc. — $693,200.

• Hoosier Hills Food Bank Inc. — $80,000.

• Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central IN Inc. — $155,200.

• Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank Inc. — $89,200.

• Tri-State Food Bank Inc. — $119,200.

According to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, more than 950,000 Hoosiers, including one in five children, experienced food insecurity in 2022, the most recent data available. This new data represents a 30% increase in food insecurity over 2021.

“As we have said for nearly four years, our member food banks continue to serve record numbers of Hoosier families,” said Emily Bryant, executive director of FIH.

“Too many of our neighbors continue to face difficult choices between paying bills and buying groceries. For any Hoosier to be unsure from where their next meal will come is unacceptable.”