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What You Need to Know About Funding Cuts to Food Assistance and Health Programs

Recent budget legislation and funding cuts will put new pressure on essential support systems, including SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), Medicaid, and food supply programs that directly affect food banks. For South Jersey, that means increased hardship for our neighbors – and growing pressure on community organizations like the Food Bank of South Jersey.

Even in uncertain times, we know this: together, we can continue to meet the need and provide stability for our neighbors Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties. With dedicated supporters, we can continue to stand strong for our community and ensure families have access to the nourishment and care they deserve. The Food Bank has supported our region for 40 years – and we’re committed to providing hope for the next 40.

What’s Changing and Why It Matters

  • SNAP Cuts
    SNAP is the nation’s most effective anti-hunger program. Cuts to this program would force more families to rely on food banks that are already stretched thin.

    • Almost 6 billion meals will be taken off the table for families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and children
    • Millions of people will lose some or all of their SNAP benefits, including millions of children, seniors, and people with disabilities
    • More seniors, veterans, unhoused neighbors, and youth aging out of foster care will be subjected to new administrative requirements, which will create new barriers to access benefits
  • Medicaid Rollbacks
    Changes to Medicaid access will leave many South Jersey residents – including seniors, children, veterans, and people with disabilities – without reliable health care. Health and hunger are deeply connected, and these cuts make both worse.
  • Loss of USDA-Funded Food
    We’re already seeing a sharp reduction in food supplied by USDA commodity programs such as the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA).

    • 200,000 pounds of food have already been canceled
    • We face a potential 75% reduction in CCC food overall – about 572,000+ pounds lost
    • LFPA’s cancellation means we will lose 284,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown NJ produce

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will people in New Jersey lose food assistance?
Yes. SNAP cuts could result in thousands of New Jersey households losing or receiving reduced benefits. That means more families turning to food banks and our community partners for help.

Q: Why does this matter if food banks can step in?
SNAP provides much more food than food banks can. For every 1 meal provided by a food bank, SNAP delivers 9. Food banks are a vital part of the solution, but we cannot replace federal support programs.

Q: What does this mean for South Jersey?
It means more families may be forced to skip meals. It means more seniors having to choose between medicine and food. And it means local organizations will need to do more with less.

How You Can Help

Your support is essential right now. Cuts to SNAP and federal food programs mean we must stretch every resource further to meet the growing need. Make a gift today to help provide nourishing meals to families across South Jersey. Donate now.

If you know someone who needs food assistance, please visit our Zip Code Locator to find a distribution.

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