The Ohio House has been working on the state budget and released its version on April 1. This version of the budget offers $7.5 million less annually than the current state budget, which expires on June 30, leaving Ohio's statewide hunger-relief network at $24.5 million per year.
There is still time to change this outcome, but we need your help.
Please contact House leadership, House Finance Committee Chair Brian Stewart (614-466-1464) and Vice Chair Michael Dovilla (614-466-4895). Ask them to support Ohio’s food banks in the state budget by including additional funding of $4.93 million, investing a total of $29.48 million per fiscal year into the Ohio Food Program (OFP) and Agricultural Clearance Program (OACP) to account for five years of record inflation.
Our neighbors deserve access to safe, nourishing food, but Ohio's food banks need to be adequately funded to meet the needs of their communities. Food banks and pantries cannot effectively serve the community without the state's support.
Additionally, OFP and OACP help support Ohio's main industry, agriculture. Funding supports the procurement of fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein and staple products, supporting Ohio's agricultural industry and improving access to healthy foods for Ohioans. In fact, Ohio's state-funded food purchase programs led to the creation of approximately 300 jobs in fiscal year 2024 alone, based on an independent economic analysis report.
Time is of the essence; please take action today.
Amendments are due at noon on April 3 and legislators will continue to make deliberations over the weekend. The revised amendment will be released and voted on April 8.
Thank you for supporting your Foodbank and local hunger relief.