Photo by cstein96.

The Capitol Area Food Bank, the Washington metro region’s main provider of food for the poor, said that for the first time in its history it will charge its members for fruits and vegetables. The change, beginning on July 1, is reported to add thousands in unexpected costs for the agencies the organization supplies to feed the region’s hungry.

The news comes as Congress weighs a budget proposal that includes more than $800 million in cuts to food assistance programs. On Friday, the New York Times editorial board urged Congress to save poverty-fighting programs, including ones that provide food assistance.