ALBANY — New York is among the states suing after the U.S. Department of Agriculture says Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will go without their benefits come November 1st if the government shutdown holds.
“In fiscal year 2024, the average SNAP benefit was approximately $187 per person per month, redeemed through a network of more than 250,000 authorized retailers nationwide,” stated Angela Odoms-Young, a Cornell University professor of maternal and child nutrition. Odoms-Young previously served on a national committee tasked with revising the food packages for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
“The interruption of SNAP benefits would not only jeopardize food access for millions of low-income households but also disrupt local food retail systems, farmers markets, small grocers, and regional economies that depend on SNAP spending. The sudden withdrawal of this purchasing power will likely reverberate throughout local food systems, undermining community resilience and economic stability. It may also place additional strain on the charitable food sector, which is already operating at or beyond capacity to meet existing needs.”
Governor Hochul recently announced that she is fast-tracking $30 million in state funds to support over 16 million meals for New Yorkers. “While I’ve said repeatedly that no state can backfill these devastating cuts, I am committed to ensuring New Yorkers do not go hungry this holiday season,” stated Governor Hochul.
According to the New York State Attorney General’s Office, there are 3 million SNAP recipients in New York. Approximately $650 million in SNAP benefits were distributed each month across the state.
“The U.S. is officially losing the war on poverty. The government is shut down because there isn’t agreement that healthcare should be affordable and available to all Americans, and SNAP benefits are being held hostage as a result of this showdown,” stated Tashara Leak, registered dietitian and associate professor in Cornell University’s Division of Nutritional Sciences. “We are days away from millions of families being without food and I can’t think of anything more un-American.”
“Overall, this situation translates into reduced access to nutritious foods essential for maintaining health and well-being,” stated Odoms-Young. “For many families, these benefits are not supplementary, they are vital for meeting basic nutritional needs and ensuring survival.”
