Millions of Americans have fallen off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the past year, following federal policy changes that tightened eligibility rules and expanded work requirements. Food banks across the country say they are already seeing more families turn to emergency food assistance as a result.
According to data from the US Department of Agriculture, SNAP participation declined from 42.8 million people in January 2025 to 38.5 million in January 2026. Advocacy groups and food assistance organisations say the reduction is beginning to strain local food networks that were already facing sustained demand.
The changes followed the introduction of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in mid-2025, which expanded work requirements for adults up to the age of 64 and removed exemptions previously available to groups including veterans, homeless individuals and former foster youth. Food bank leaders say the impact is now becoming visible in communities where households are struggling to maintain benefits or complete recertification processes.
Food Banks Report Growing Demand as SNAP Access Declines
Meg Kimmel, president and chief executive of the Maryland Food Bank, told Newsweek that food assistance organisations in the state are beginning to experience the “downstream effects” of the new SNAP rules.
According to Kimmel, many people seeking support had previously managed without charitable food programs but are now returning because they have lost benefits or are unable to navigate new administrative requirements.
“Our partner network expects, and is beginning to see, increased demand as SNAP participation declines,” she said. “Historically, when access to SNAP is reduced, more people turn to food banks and local pantries to fill the gap.”
In Maryland, SNAP participation fell from around 680,000 recipients in January 2025 to approximately 644,000 at the start of this year. Kimmel said households are facing barriers including transportation problems, caregiving responsibilities and difficulties completing paperwork or accessing online systems needed for recertification.
Food banks say they are unable to replace the scale of support provided through SNAP. Kimmel stated that charitable food networks play “a critical role” but cannot match the consistency or reach of federal assistance programs.
Similar concerns were raised in Minnesota, where SNAP participation declined by around 15,000 people over the same period. Kate Burggraff, executive director of the Foundation for Essential Needs, said food shelves are attempting to respond through fundraising and volunteer coordination, though sustained demand could force difficult operational decisions.
“Over time, food shelves may have to make difficult decisions about how often families can visit, how much food they can provide, how much choice shoppers have,” Burggraff told Newsweek.
Survey Data Highlights Financial Strain and Access Barriers
Findings from the 2025 Minnesota Food Shelf Shopper Survey provide additional insight into the pressures facing households relying on food support. The survey collected responses from 9,759 shoppers across 308 food shelf sites between April and June 2025.
According to the survey, 72 per cent of respondents reported having to choose between food and other essential expenses during the previous year. 38 per cent said they had struggled to balance food costs with utility bills, while 29 per cent cited housing expenses and 25 per cent reported trade-offs involving transportation.
The report also found that 48 per cent of shoppers had specific dietary requirements or health-related food needs, including diabetic diets and allergen-free foods. Fresh produce, dairy products, eggs and meat ranked among the most requested food items.
Access to food shelves was not always straightforward. 18 per cent of respondents reported transportation difficulties, while others cited limited opening hours or concerns about stigma associated with seeking help.
Janelle Waldock, director of community health policy at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, said SNAP has broader economic and public health effects beyond hunger relief. According to Waldock, every dollar in SNAP benefits in Minnesota can generate up to $1.50 in local economic activity through grocery stores, farmers’ markets and local farming networks.
Waldock also noted that research has linked SNAP participation with lower rates of hospitalisation, improved management of chronic illnesses and better mental health outcomes.
