With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we’re celebrating with love letters to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps)! SNAP may be at risk in 2025 with proposals coming from Congress that would require billions of dollars of cuts to SNAP through a budget reconciliation process.
The Food Group passionately believes that SNAP funding is essential and should not be up for debate. SNAP is an incredibly effective anti-hunger program that also builds up local economies. That’s why we’re joining Food in Research and Action (FRAC) for their national Week of Action to Protect SNAP from Budget Cuts (February 10-14).
What is SNAP?
SNAP is an irreplaceable lifeline for 450,000 Minnesotans facing food insecurity. It’s a federal program that provides food benefits to supplement grocery budgets and increase food access. Through SNAP, people can afford nutritious food that improves lifelong health outcomes.
Beyond food security, the program is proven to support participants’ overall wellbeing and economic stability, freeing up vital funds for other basic needs like housing and transportation. Research also shows that children who receive SNAP benefits early in life see better educational, job, and wellness outcomes as adults.
SNAP By the Numbers
The need for SNAP benefits rises each year. Food shelf visits in Minnesota have more than doubled since 2021. We saw over 8.9 million visits to Minnesota’s food shelves in 2024 (final numbers coming soon). That’s a 1.5 million increase from 2023.
From Anoka to Beltrami to Hennepin, nearly half a million people in every county in Minnesota used SNAP benefits in 2024. 37% of users are children, 17% are seniors, and 12% are individuals with disabilities.
Due to rising housing costs, high inflation, and other economic challenges, many Minnesotans can’t afford necessities like nutritious food. Rhory, a SNAP recipient, shared the following about how inflation and high cost of living affect grocery purchases via SNAP:
Over 2 years ago I lost 100% of my income due to a medical issue. At first I thought it was a lot of food $ (more than I had when I was working) but I’m really feeling the inflation and rising prices so I use food shelves to help fill the gap.
For families facing food insecurity, every dollar counts. Through SNAP, resources can go much farther. For every 1 meal provided by Minnesota’s network of food shelves and food banks, SNAP provides 9 meals.
SNAP also makes good economic sense. Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates approximately $1.50 in local economic activity because recipients use their benefits at local businesses. Farmers, grocers, and retailers across the state rely on SNAP benefits to sustain their businesses.
Smitten for SNAP
SNAP changes lives. The following stories show why we’re so smitten for SNAP:
Cuts to SNAP Will Hurt Minnesotans
Cuts to SNAP or any food assistance program will have a ripple effect across Minnesota, leading to poorer health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, and less economic stability for low-income families. The heaviest burden of cuts will inevitably fall on communities that disproportionately face food insecurity.
Show Your Love—Fight for SNAP
We’re smitten for SNAP—and we need your voice of support too. If you believe SNAP is essential, take action now to show your love.
3 steps you can take to prevent SNAP cuts:
- Contact your congress members and ask them to protect SNAP in upcoming budget reconciliation conversations. Use our simple template to send an email to your congress members.
- Get vocal on socials and show your love this Valentine’s week. Use this toolkit from Food Research in Action and #SNAPMatters and #HandsOffSNAP to let congress know that SNAP is non-negotiable. Make sure to tag @fracgram and @thefoodgroupmn. You can also follow us and share our graphics.
- Meet with your representatives. House Representatives are in recess next week (February 17-21) which means that your representatives are at home in your district. Use Food Research in Action’s step by step process to set up a meeting.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Show your love for programs that are critical to lifting up our community.
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