Food banks across the U.S. are facing a dilemma after a federal program that helps non-profits expired.

The Federal Farm Bill expired last month, leaving food banks hanging in the balance.

The bill allows the federal government to purchase surplus food items from farmers which are then turned over to the food banks.

Food banks across the country are hopeful that the five-year federal farm bill will be renewed.

"It not only helps the farmers get rid of their surplus product and helps them financially, it helps people like us in the food bank business, in the schools where we count on products from the USDA that come as a result of some of that repurposed food," Renee Fuller with Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley said.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, who is on the agriculture committee, sent us this statement:

"Further delays in passing a farm bill only hurts hardworking Americans whether that is farmers or families buying groceries. We must act now to pass a common-sense farm bill that works for Ohio. The Speaker of the House vacancy has created a barrier to legislation getting passed which will further hold up this process but time especially for these food banks is of the essence."

Exactly how much this will affect Valley food banks is yet to be seen.