“Everything Is About to Change for Oregon’s Food System”  

As SNAP Cuts Loom, CAFE Rallies Community Funders to Strengthen Local Food Equity  

PORTLAND, OR — In the coming weeks, more than 300,000 Oregonians will receive notices that their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are changing, reducing the amount of food many households can afford. According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, these federal changes will impact families, older adults, and individuals across every county.  

At the same time, cuts to the USDA programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program have sharply reduced the supply of fresh food flowing into Oregon’s emergency food network. The dual blow underscores a critical truth: the safety nets families rely on are fraying, and local community systems must step in to fill the gap.  

That’s where the Coalition for Advancing Food Equity (CAFE) comes in. Formed by a collective of Oregon-based food security organizations, CAFE’s mission is to strengthen food equity through shared systems, collaborative operations, and policy solutions that stretch resources and get nutritious food to those who need it most.  

Rebuilding What’s Broken — Together  

Leading this work is a creative collaborative funding model made possible by the Zidell Family Foundation, which helped rally the Marie Lamfrom Foundation and the Harbourton Foundation to launch CAFE’s first shared bulk purchasing and distribution project. The initiative allows member organizations to pool funds, purchase food at scale, and share labor to reduce duplication and costs.  

“We believe in the power of collaboration over competition,” said Charlene Zidell, Director of the Zidell Family Foundation and lead organizer of the CAFE Funder Circle. “By pooling resources and aligning around shared goals, we can protect our neighbors from the worst of these cuts and build stronger local systems for the future.”  

“Marie Lamfrom Foundation invests in communities that care for one another, and that’s exactly what this collaboration represents,” said Tyler Hobbs, President of the Marie Lamfrom Foundation. “When we strengthen local systems and partnerships, we strengthen the dignity and well-being of every Oregonian. Supporting CAFE ensures that more people have access to the fresh, nourishing food they deserve.” 

“We’re proud to support a network of smaller, community-based organizations harnessing their collective strength to meet a shared goal,” said Carrie Lawliss, Director of the Harbourton Foundation. “When local nonprofits come together to coordinate, rather than compete, it creates a powerful ripple effect, and it’s critical that we resource that collaboration so it can last.” 

Community Voices: The Human Impact  

For the people CAFE partners serve, these changes aren’t abstract—they’re deeply personal.  

“I’m sure you are aware of the big changes that are going on in the government,” said a Lift UP client who lives in affordable housing supported through the coalition. “We have been put against the wall because every day we have less and less benefits. With your service, it has been lifesaving—it’s like being in the middle of the ocean and someone throws you a lifesaver.”  

Because food is so expensive, without Lift UP I wouldn’t be able to afford to eat. I received about $60 from food stamps, but my groceries cost almost $700 last month. Lift UP helps me feed my grandkids when they come to visit.”  

Coalition Leaders Speak Out  

“We’re already seeing demand spike across our pantries,” said Stephanie Barr, Executive Director of Lift Urban Portland and Coalition Lead Spokesperson. “CAFE’s model gives us an exciting path forward— it allows us to get better deals, coordinate distributions, maximize efficiency, and lean into our strengths so we can focus on what matters most: feeding people with dignity.”  

“Getting fresh fruit into the hands of people who need it shouldn’t be a struggle,” added Heather Keisler Fornes, Executive Director of Portland Fruit Tree Project. “Through CAFE, we can scale our gleaning work, coordinate harvests, and inject more fresh produce into community pantries even as federal supplies decline.”  

“When food systems are stressed, the organizations that distribute food are often pushed to the brink,” said Graham Craft of William Temple House. “CAFE gives us a structure for resilience, so one organization’s burden doesn’t collapse the whole network.”  

CAFE is Collaborating with City Leadership for Portland Specific Solutions 

“The Oregon Department of Human Services recently announced that SNAP benefits, which are fully funded by the USDA, will end after October 31st as a result of the government shutdown. Let's be honest -- if SNAP is defunded, over 750,000 Oregonians risk acute and immediate hunger. This is an unacceptable burden for working-class households to endure. In response, local organizations have come together through CAFE to strengthen food supply systems and ensure food reaches our communities. This collaboration will inform a long-term vision for improving affordability, access, and quality in Oregon’s food programs, including exploring future municipal grocery models that remove barriers in our neighborhoods.” - the office of City Council Member Mitch Greene. 

Ripple Effects Beyond Food  

The SNAP reductions are expected to impact other household essentials. Families facing food shortages often delay paying utility bills or medical costs, creating a cascading effect across Oregon’s health and housing systems. The loss of USDA funding compounds that pressure, particularly for fresh fruits and vegetables that once flowed through local purchasing programs.  

How Oregonians Can Help  

CAFE urges individuals and businesses to take action now:  

About CAFE  

The Coalition for Advancing Food Equity (CAFE) is a partnership of community-based organizations collaborating to create a sustainable, equitable, and locally rooted food system in Oregon. CAFE strengthens the capacity of food assistance programs through shared purchasing, labor, and logistics to ensure every neighbor has access to healthy food.  

CAFE Partners   
Community for Positive Aging • Lift Urban Portland • Neighborhood House • OHSU Bob & Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition & Wellness • OHSU Food Resource Center •  Portland Fruit Tree Project • PSU Student Pantry • Trinity Episcopal Church • Urban Gleaners • William Temple House