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A Year Later, Food Banks Struggle With SNAP Cuts

workers stocking food at a food bank

A year after cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), food banks are still reeling from additional need for food assistance.

In New York City, 40 percent of SNAP recipients rely also on food bank support. After across-the-board cuts last November, that demand has risen.

The Food Bank for New York City estimated 76 percent of its food pantries and soup kitchens saw an increase in demand.

Food banks are facing shortages, reduced portions and turning people away. The demand only increases with the holidays.

New York City faces slightly more demand than the national average, but the problem isn't contained to major cities.

Rural communities like Teton County, Montana are seeing an increase in food assistance as low wages, fixed incomes and SNAP cuts combine to cause food to not stretch as far as it did a year ago.

Food banks are anxious as the Farm Bill could mean additional cuts to the SNAP program.

Read More:



  • A Year After Deep Cuts to Federal Food Assistance Programs, America's Nonprofit Food Banks Struggle To Fill The Gap (International Business Times)
  • Food pantries stretched to breaking point by food stamp cuts (Al Jazeera America)


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