FAIRMONT– While a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration freeze on federal funds before it could take effect on Tuesday, local organizations that could be affected were already considering how it could impact them.

Heaven’s Table Food Shelf in Fairmont serves around 300 families in Martin County each month. A large portion of the food they’re able to offer comes from TEFAP, which is a government program for free food.

Greta Lintelman, Heaven’s Table’s board chair, said a lot of what they get through that program is meat.

“That is of course one of the most expensive things that we purchase or give out. This may impact that (program),” Lintelman said.

She wasn’t worried about the immediate future as she said there is likely TEAFAP food at Second Harvest Heartland, the food bank Heaven’s Table uses. However beyond that, Lintelman said she was concerned about how long the freeze could last and what other grants could be affected.

“We’re still fortunate to have a state that considers what we do important. We’re fortunate that we have a governor that takes that seriously,” Lintelman said.

She referenced the $5 million that Governor Tim Walz had allocated to food banks in the state late last year.

“I’m assuming that’s all state money and hoping that stays open to us and we’re able to take advantage of it as much as possible,” Lintelman said.

Human Health and Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties also has federally funded programs, such as WIC, a nutrition and breastfeeding program, that could be affected. However, staff in the maternal child health sector could not comment on the matter.

The majority of school lunches in the state of Minnesota are also federally funded through the National School Lunch Program. Fairmont Area Schools Superintendent Andy Traetow said he and the district get their guidance from national and state organizations.

“We’re still waiting to hear some concrete answers as to whether or not E-rate and school meals will be impacted. That’s uncertain as well,” Traetow said.

The White House had planned to start the pause to begin a large scope review on federal spending. However, a U.S. District judge had blocked it minutes before it was set to begin.

Prior to the freeze going into effect, Walz issued a statement, saying, “President Trump has just shut off funding for law enforcement, farmers, schools, veterans and health care. Minnesota will do what we can to keep the lights on, but we cannot fill the nearly $2 billion hole this will put in the state budget’s each month. I do not believe this decision was constructional and we will work diligently to reverse it, but we are prepping for every eventual outcome to help Minnesotans weather this storm.”

The pause on the freeze will remain until Monday.