State officials, food support leaders, and advocates recently concluded a series of statewide roundtables informing Minnesotans on the impact of proposed federal cuts to vital food support programs.

Changes proposed to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding at the federal level will result in increases in Minnesotans experiencing hunger. Discussions are underway to shift up to 25 percent of SNAP benefit costs onto states – estimated at an up to $220 million annual cost to the state of Minnesota that would create an existential threat to the state budget, the health of Minnesotans, and Minnesota’s food system.

“SNAP is Minnesota’s most effective tool to fight hunger and support families,” said Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown. “SNAP strengthens Minnesota’s health, economy, and future. It improves health, reduces health care costs, supports child development, and helps people stay stable during hard times.”

Food banks and food shelves across Minnesota know how essential SNAP and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a federally funded commodity purchasing program, are to individuals and families. Food insecurity is increasing in Minnesota due to rising food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits.

“All Minnesotans deserve affordable, nutritious food,” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. “Supporting local farmers with SNAP dollars and nutrition incentive programs helps keep them in business and ensures money staying in our local communities.”

With the rising cost of food, these federal programs are a critical support for low-income households. SNAP is a lifeline for more than 440,000 Minnesotans, 36% of whom are children, 18% are seniors, and 14% are adults with a disability. The program helps families put food on the table and generates economic activity — every $1 in SNAP benefits generates approximately $1.50 in local economic impact.

“If you lower our SNAP any further, many Americans, such as myself, will be facing starvation and possibly death,” said SNAP participant Abbella DiNoto. “SNAP allows for fresh produce and additional meat and dairy items. It also allows me to double and even triple the amount if spent at a farmer’s market, allowing me to further increase my fresh produce intake.”

Minnesota had a record number of food shelf visits in 2024, with nearly 9 million visits – up 1.5 million from 2023. For every meal provided by food shelves or food banks, SNAP provides nine. Cutting or restricting SNAP or TEFAP would put more pressure on the emergency food system that is already stretched thin. 

“The budget reconciliation bill not only cuts $1 trillion from programs that support the most vulnerable people in this country, but also it increases the nation’s deficit by nearly $2.5 trillion,” said Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish. “Most people who receive SNAP benefits are already working one or two jobs, but their paychecks don’t stretch far enough to feed their families. Farmers want to feed people. We shouldn’t be limiting who has access to the bounty produced by America’s hardworking farmers.”  

Officials held a series of roundtable events on the proposed federal SNAP cuts in Bloomington, Rochester, Mankato, Eagan, and Duluth.

Find more information and read personal stories about the impact of Minnesota’s SNAP program at dcyf.mn.gov/speakup.