A recent poll shared by Maryland Matters paints a concerning picture of food insecurity in Maryland, as residents grapple with food prices rising faster than their incomes. The timing is no coincidence—these financial pressures come just as the federal government makes tax cuts from 2017 permanent, while partially offsetting the cost through reductions to key social programs, including SNAP and Medicaid.
According to reporting by Conduit Street, these changes coincide with broader fiscal adjustments expected to shift more administrative and benefit costs to state budgets over the next few years. The poll offers limited insight but highlights growing tension around affordability and access to basic needs.
Poll Reveals Economic Strain as Food Costs Rise
The survey, conducted for No Kid Hungry and reported by Maryland Matters, found that more than 8 in 10 Marylanders believe that food prices are increasing faster than what they earn. And that’s not just a perception—it’s impacting behavior.
About two-thirds of respondents said they’ve had to decide between buying groceries or paying for other essentials like rent, gas, car repairs, or medical treatment. Among households with children, the figure spikes to 71 percent.
These aren’t just abstract numbers—they reflect real tradeoffs families are making every week. A parent skipping a meal so their kid can eat. A senior choosing between filling a prescription or buying produce. The survey underscores the quiet but expanding impact of inflation and policy change on daily life.
Policy Backdrop: Tax Cuts In, Snap Cuts Out
The context behind these trends is critical. The poll was conducted in the wake of a federal decision to make permanent the 2017 tax cuts, a move that, while politically popular in some circles, has budgetary consequences. According to Maryland Matters, part of the financial offset for these tax cuts comes from cuts to Medicaid and SNAP—programs relied on by low- and middle-income households across Maryland.
This shift means that even as food becomes more expensive, support systems like SNAP are being trimmed back, both in funding and accessibility. The result? More pressure on the very people already struggling to keep up.
Current and Future Snap Costs for Maryland
Right now, Maryland shares the administrative costs of SNAP 50/50 with the federal government. The federal government currently covers 100% of the SNAP benefits themselves—the money that actually goes to people to help them buy food.
But that’s about to change. Starting next year, Maryland’s share of SNAP administrative costs will rise sharply, to 75 percent. That’s an estimated $173 million per year added to the state’s budget. And that’s not all—by 2027, Maryland will be on the hook for 15 percent of actual SNAP benefits, an additional $240 million annually.
Potential Impact: Hundreds of Thousands Could Lose Benefits
A report by the Urban Institute (though not yet named or dated in available sources) warns that nearly 370,000 Marylanders could lose some or all of their SNAP benefits under the new structure. That’s more than 1 in 20 residents in the state. And the cuts don’t happen all at once—benefits could taper, administrative hurdles may increase, or eligibility requirements could quietly change, leaving vulnerable families without recourse.
These numbers bring a human cost. For many, SNAP is the difference between just scraping by and falling off the edge. Losing access doesn’t just mean less food—it could mean worse health outcomes, lower school performance among children, and long-term community consequences.
Overwhelming Public Support for Child Nutrition
Despite the policy headwinds, public opinion is clear—and united. The poll found that 96 percent of Marylanders agree that no child should go hungry in the state. A further 93 percent say addressing child hunger should be a bipartisan priority, reflecting rare political alignment on a moral issue.
About six in ten hold a favorable view of SNAP, and more than 80 percent want the state to continue the summer meals program that feeds children when school is out of session. These figures suggest that while federal lawmakers may be focused on tax structures, Marylanders themselves are more concerned with what ends up—or doesn’t—on their dinner tables.
