Food banks in the United States are facing increased pressure as participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has decreased significantly. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, SNAP participation fell by over 4.5 million individuals from July 2025 to April 2026. This decline has resulted in heightened demand for food assistance, with food banks purchasing more food and expanding application assistance efforts. Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America, indicated that the changes to SNAP are coinciding with rising food prices, which is increasing reliance on food banks. The USDA noted that eligible households may lose benefits due to administrative hurdles, such as more frequent verification processes. In Arizona, SNAP participation has halved, prompting state officials to take action to address error rates. Advocates are calling for Congress to delay the implementation of new cost-sharing measures that could further strain food assistance programs.
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Food Banks Address Challenges from SNAP Participation Decline
Food banks are experiencing increased demand as SNAP participation has dropped by over 4.5 million people since mid-2025. The decline is attributed to regulatory changes and rising food prices, leading to greater reliance on food assistance. Advocates are urging Congress to reconsider new cost-sharing measures that could exacerbate the situation.
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Terri Shoemaker
Denis McDonough
Joseph Llobrera
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Food banks confront growing SNAP gap
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Food Banks Address Challenges from SNAP Participation Decline