As the federal government shutdown continues, officials in several states warn that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could run out by the end of October. The program provides food assistance to about 42 million Americans living in poverty or with disabilities, making it the nation’s largest anti-hunger initiative.
The potential lapse in funding comes as new federal cuts are already set to reshape food assistance nationwide. President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” reduced SNAP spending by $186 billion over ten years, a change expected to affect roughly 7.4 million recipients. The legislation also cut $1 billion from school lunch programs and eliminated $500 million in funding that supported food banks in distributing U.S.-produced fresh foods such as meat, vegetables, dairy, and eggs.
Food banks, already stretched thin, are preparing for increased demand. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom has discussed the possibility of deploying the National Guard to help with distribution.
