Area food banks are feeling the effects of cuts at the federal level and have concerns about what could potentially be coming down the pipeline. Cyndi Kirkhart, the CEO of Facing Hunger Foodbank, said it started with the USDA ending the local food purchase agreements earlier this year, which allowed food banks to partner with and purchase from local farms. She said this resulted in losing out on about $1.4 million in food products. Then, she said the federal government cut their caseload in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Need continues to grow, about 23% over what they normally would see. With the potential cutting of other services like Medicaid or SNAP, this could lead to more people needing the services of food banks. Food banks are hoping Congress will develop a farm bill that supports safety net programs.