The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) makes sure that millions of families can put food on the table each month. It’s not only helpful for families in need – it’s also an economic multiplier. Our entire food system, including UFCW members at grocery stores, meat and food processing plants across the country, benefits when SNAP families can buy groceries.
The SNAP food assistance program lapsed on November 1. While a judge ordered the administration to fulfill its legal obligation to fully fund SNAP benefits by tapping several sources, they have only committed to funding benefits at 50%. Thirty-six states have said they won’t have enough money to issue SNAP checks because the federal government is withholding funds, many are now resorting to backfilling the loss of these critical SNAP benefits with local partners. Read UFCW’s letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins here.
Up to 42 million low-income and vulnerable Americans will lose access to food aid and grocery store workers will lose hours and jobs if the USDA does not act now. Secretary Rollins and the USDA can use the SNAP contingency fund and other USDA nutrition funding to keep the food aid flowing. Their refusal to do their job and run the SNAP program at its full capacity will result in food insecurity for millions of Americans.
Tell your Senators – USDA must release snap emergency funds and ensure families don’t go hungry.