28-03-2025
Advocates speak out on the possibility of SNAP and other food security benefits facing cuts
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – SNAP and other food security benefits are expected to face cuts by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans. Senator Ed Markey, Congressman Jim McGovern, and advocates met virtually yesterday to discuss this issue.
The proposal to cut SNAP benefits has deeply concerned many of these advocates, as it could lead to increased hunger and food insecurity. 'We've made great strides, but there are still too many people in the United States going hungry every single day,' said State Senator Edward Markey.
Nearly 1 in 5 families in Massachusetts report struggling with food access. And more families could struggle if billions of SNAP benefits are cut. The proposed reduction in SNAP benefits equals 118 million meals lost throughout the state.
State Senator Markey adds, 'This week, I heard directly from Massachusetts early educators, community college students, food bank leaders, and advocates why SNAP is a critical lifeline for families in our state. SNAP helps one in six Massachusetts residents, or about 670,000 families, put food on the table, but nearly 20 percent of families in Massachusetts still report struggling with food access. If Republicans want to make these cuts, I'm going to make sure every American knows that they are the ones taking food from people's dinner tables to fuel billionaires' tax breaks.'
'If you cut those even further, that will cause families to make impossible choices between feeding themselves or paying their rent, paying their utility bills on time,' said Rebecca Miller, the Policy Director at the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative.
Last year alone, Project Bread, a food security organization in Massachusetts, handled more than 7,000 SNAP pre-screens and nearly 700 SNAP applications over the phone. 'Right now in Massachusetts, our levels of food insecurity are the same as they were at the peak of the COVID crisis. We are in crisis right now in our state and across the country when it comes to hunger. And it is not the time to be cutting back the programs that we know are most effective in responding to that crisis,' said Jennifer Lemmerman, chief policy officer for Project Bread.
Food banks and pantries will also see an increase in more people seeking food assistance. 'And quite frankly, food banks across the country won't be able to make up for the loss of SNAP benefits people rely on to put food on their table,' said Andrew Moorehouse, the Executive Director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
The Western Massachusetts Food Bank currently provides food to local line food pantries across the region. This includes the Parish Cupboard in West Springfield. 'You know, in the short term, we will probably weather the storm. In the long term, it's going to hurt our services,' said Bob Fastie, West Springfield Parish Cupboard Executive Director.
For every dollar of SNAP spent, it can impact the economy by nearly 2 dollars. So that means in Massachusetts, that's about $4 billion in economic activity in the year.
These snap benefits not only support 194,000 individuals in western Mass. but bring in around 35 million dollars to the region. This means farmers, local economies, and small businesses that depend on these federal dollars could be impacted.
'So for Congress to consider decimating this program would be both unprecedented and horrifying,' expressed Victoria Negus of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.
Negus says delegates with the Massachusetts Law Reform Insitute are speaking up for everyone in Washington D.C. to urge Congress to reject these cuts.
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