AFTER AGRICULTURE SECRETARY ROLLINS CLAIMS FOOD BANK CUTS ARE “FAKE NEWS,” CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN INVITES ROLLINS TO SEE THE HARM TO HUDSON VALLEY FAMILIES FOR HERSELF IN MONTGOMERY MONDAY

After Agriculture Secretary Rollins Claims Food Bank Cuts Are “Fake News,” Congressman Pat Ryan Invites Rollins to See the Harm to Hudson Valley Families for Herself in Montgomery Monday

Trump’s Department of Agriculture announced a massive funding cut to emergency food assistance to the tune of $1 billion, threatening catastrophic food shortages across the country

Last week, Congressman Pat Ryan raised the alarm, warning that the cuts would withhold more than 2 MILLION meals across Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange Counties alone, and called on Trump’s Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to restore funding

Over the weekend, Secretary Rollins went on Fox News and responded to Rep. Ryan, calling the cuts “fake news” even though food shipments have already been cancelled 

MONTGOMERY, NY  –  Last week, Congressman Ryan raised the alarm on how Trump’s sweeping cuts at the Department of Agriculture – to the tune of $1 billion – would impact the 170,000 people in the Hudson Valley who rely on the food bank every month. Due to the cuts, Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties alone are on track to receive 2 million fewer meals in 2025. Over the weekend, Trump’s USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins, went on Fox News and responded to Congressman Ryan, calling the cuts “fake news,” even though food shipments have already been cancelled. 

Today, Congressman Ryan is inviting Secretary Rollins to join him next Monday at the Regional Food Bank facility in Montgomery, alongside impacted farmers, church groups, children, and regional food pantries.   

“Despite what Secretary Rollins claimed on Fox News, there’s absolutely nothing fake about these cuts. Tragically, they are all too real. I’m inviting her to come see the harm for herself, and demanding she explain to folks in the Hudson Valley why they are forcing through these cruel cuts,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Food shipments have already been cancelled. Farmers are reeling from the loss of income. Children, veterans, and seniors are trying to figure out how to live with 2 million fewer meals. Our community will be standing up and speaking out at the Regional Food Bank of the Hudson Valley Monday – the least Secretary Rollins can do is look us in the eyes and tell us the truth.”

Of the 20 million pounds of TEFAP foods distributed by the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York last year, more than 4.8 million pounds–equating to roughly 4 million meals–were distributed across Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties. In 2025, because of Trump’s USDA cuts, the food bank predicts a 49% drop in TEFAP foods, leaving them able to provide only 25 meals per food insecure resident to last year’s 48 meals. Overall, this will constitute 2 million fewer meals provided in 2025 than in 2024. Additionally, the food loads being cut include most of the food bank’s nutritious stock, including proteins like meats and cheeses, milk, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. 

The food bank’s Hudson Valley branch recently opened a new distribution facility in Montgomery, Orange County. The 50,000 square foot facility doubles the organization’s food storage capacity, and makes it easier to distribute food locally to the 170,000 people per month in the Hudson Valley who rely on the food bank’s services. The Montgomery location is also helping to foster more local partnerships between small farmers and the food bank as well as local food pantries and other distributors. The new facility opened its doors in December, and its vast empty shelves come as more and more people are turning to the charitable food system in response to rising costs. 

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