EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.—U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is warning that the impact of Trump administration tariffs will drive up the need for food pantries at the very time the administration is ending a pandemic-era program that food banks used to buy produce from local farmers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last month it stopped the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program. The St. Louis Area Foodbank used it to buy food fromIllinois farmers in its service area and distributed to Illinois families in Jersey, Calhoun, St. Clair, Madison, Clinton, Franklin, Jackson, Monroe, Perry, Randolph, Washington and Williamson counties. 

“As a pandemic-era program, LFPA will now be sunsetted, marking a return to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives,” a USDA spokesperson told Spectrum News in March, saying it would prioritize “stable, proven solutions that deliver lasting impact.”

Durbin and others gathered Monday morning at the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis which operates a food pantry that received produce as part of the program.  

It used to receive 12-13 pallets of produce regularly. Representatives say that number is down to 4 or five now and overall means they’re serving roughly 1,000 fewer people than before, although nobody is being turned away.

“We’ve been getting more people, we’re just not getting more products so we have to give out different items…we don’t give out as much bananas or apples, anything like that we give out more potatoes, peanut butter rice, things of that nature,” said Sarah Brown, the pantry’s manager.

Durbin cautioned that the need for access to food pantries could become more acute given economic uncertainties surrounding the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on imports, which last week were paused for 90 days.

“The need is substantial. The economy is in peril with the tariffs and the whole situation that we face now is worrisome because families have been concerned about the cost of eggs and food at the grocery store, it hasn’t gotten any better under the president, it’s going to get worse if we face a recession” Durbin said.

With Democrats in the minority in both chambers, Durbin conceded that as long as Republicans have the votes they need, Democrats won’t have a role to play until the GOP needs votes.

“If we had four Republican House members or four Republican senators who would stand with us, we could turn this around tomorrow. It takes four. So I’m pleading with my colleagues. Do what I’ve done, come home. Talk to people who are really struggling to feed their families. Tell me that we can’t do better,” he said.

There has been speculation that while home this week in Illinois, Durbin would end speculation over whether he plans to seek another term in 2026. He’s said in recent weeks the announcement was coming soon and did so again Monday. He said it would not be this week, despite an event later this week to pre-slate 2026 candidates in Cook County that was seen by some as a chance to get clarity on his decision.

Several House Democrats in Illinois, as well as Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are expected to jump in the race if Durbin opts for retirement.