The Biden-Harris administration is facing criticism after admitting that significant “mistakes” led to food shortages affecting Native American tribes and low-income seniors in multiple states. The shortages began in July and have left many without access to essential food supplies, highlighting flaws in federal resource management.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack pointed to a poorly executed decision to award a key food distribution contract to Paris Brothers Inc., a sole distributor, as the root cause of the crisis. The resulting delays and cancellations in food deliveries have severely impacted the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which serves low-income seniors.
“We’re learning that our system was flawed, and mistakes were made,” Vilsack told Politico, acknowledging the challenges now facing the administration as they work to address the fallout. He noted that the situation has caused significant stress and hardship, particularly in vulnerable communities.
In response, the USDA plans to re-engage Americold, the previous distributor, for a temporary six-month contract, which is expected to start in the coming weeks. FEMA officials have also been brought in to help expedite food deliveries, with additional support from the Department of Defense planned after FEMA’s temporary involvement ends. These efforts are anticipated to incur substantial costs for taxpayers.
Mary Greene-Trotter, director of the food distribution program for North Dakota’s Spirit Lake Tribe, expressed her frustration, noting that essential supplies like flour, meat, and canned goods have not been delivered since July. The shortages have impacted tribes in North Dakota, South Dakota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington.
Vilsack admitted that senior officials were slow to respond when concerns were initially raised, allowing the situation to worsen. “By then, we were dealing with circumstances, pretty significant, pretty serious, and supply chains, once they come unraveled, it doesn’t take much to unravel them, but it takes a great deal to get them back on track,” he said.
The admission of fault by the administration underscores the challenges in managing federal aid programs and the serious consequences when they fail.
