Federal Updates

Federal Updates

To view Connecticut Foodshare’s official statements on these changes, click here.

May 27, 2025 

Additional TEFAP Bonus Load Cancellation - Connecticut Foodshare learned today that the USDA has cancelled an additional TEFAP bonus load scheduled for June that was to include fresh grapes. This brings the total number of loads cancelled this year to 35.


The impacted loads have been removed from the TEFAP Food Forecast on our website.

May 23, 2025 

Federal Spending Bill Passes House - The U.S. House of Representatives passed its bill covering the President’s spending and tax cuts early Wednesday, May 22. The bill includes significant cuts to programs including federal food assistance programs like SNAP, and other safety net programs including Medicaid. These potential cuts could significantly increase food insecurity.


The bill moves to the U.S. Senate for debate and mark-up, a process that will likely include changes to the proposed bill as it is currently written. Connecticut Foodshare, along with Feeding America and many other organizations, continues to advocate for the preservation of SNAP, TEFAP, and other programs that help our neighbors. We will monitor the bill as it moves through the Senate and provide updates when available.

March 26, 2025 

Additional TEFAP Bonus Loads Cancelled -  Connecticut Foodshare learned today that the USDA has made additional cuts to TEFAP bonus loads, with a total of 34 trailer loads cancelled to date, equal to roughly 1.4 million pounds of food valued at $1.7 million. The food was expected to arrive at Connecticut Foodshare primarily between May and August and included milk, fish, chicken, pork, and turkey deli meat among other items. The impacted loads have been removed from the TEFAP Food Forecast on our website.

March 13, 2025 

Connecticut Foodshare continues to advocate for government resources that are essential to our mission, especially as agency partners across the state report increased demand. Here is what we know:


  • The primary and most consistent source of our TEFAP food, referred to as “entitlement funds,” has currently not been impacted and continues at usual levels. However, we have seen a 25% decline in TEFAP bonus loads which has led to reduced product availability.
  • Funding allocated by the Biden administration for the LFPA program for the purchase and distribution of fresh produce from Connecticut farmers has been rescinded. While LFPA has been a valuable source of fresh produce, agency partners should note this is not our primary source of produce.
  • Budget proposals currently circulating in Congress include significant cuts to the USDA, which, if approved, would likely mean cuts to SNAP. At this point, these changes are not certain, and we are tracking this issue closely.