SNAP into Action: Safeguarding SNAP in the Farm Bill

Every five years, Congress passes a critical piece of legislation affecting everything from food security to rural energy to agriculture: the Farm Bill. With Congress in recess until mid-August, and so much money (an estimated $1.51 trillion) riding on one piece of legislation, it is worth looking into what the Farm Bill is and why it matters to all of us.  

So, what is it? Through the Farm Bill, Congress changes parts of permanent law, amends or repeals previous laws, and establishes new rules on domestic and foreign food policy. The overwhelming majority of the Farm Bill deals with domestic nutrition programs. In fact, of the expected $1.51 trillion in spending, around $1.22 trillion (81.1%) of funding goes exclusively to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

The latest reports from the USDA identify over 13.5 million food-insecure households in the United States, stretching from urban cores to rural farmland. In fact, according to the Food Research and Action Center, rural households are more likely to experience food insecurity and take advantage of SNAP compared to their urban counterparts. As the flagship anti-hunger program, a robust, well-funded SNAP is a lifeline for over 41.9 million Americans nationwide who utilized SNAP this past April alone. 

SNAP also serves as a safety net against poverty. According to the Urban Institute, the combined effects of expanding SNAP and emergency allotments during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced poverty by 14.1% in states with emergency allotments and reduced child poverty by almost 22% when compared to not expanding benefits. SNAP can even go beyond preventing poverty and to promoting racial equity. Even people who are not SNAP recipients benefit from the program: each dollar in federally funded SNAP benefits generates $1.79 in economic activity. A fully-funded SNAP helps countless Americans, and yet, some elected officials are still threatening SNAP and other anti-hunger programs. 

With a divided Congress, SNAP could suffer further cuts or restrictions, as we saw in this summer’s debt ceiling agreement. The House Appropriations Committee just passed a 2024 funding bill which would cut federal nutrition program funding to the lowest levels they’ve been at since 2006. And although some in Congress might berate the Farm Bill’s $1.5 trillion sticker price, it is important to remember that the money is for expenditures over the course of five years, meaning a total expense of around $302 billion per year. From a broader perspective, from 2024 to 2033, spending on the 2023 Farm Bill will only account for 2.4% of total federal government expenditures.  

So, what can you do to protect SNAP?  

• Contact Your Representatives: Reach out to your congressional representatives and senators, expressing your support for increasing funding for SNAP. You can email your representatives here and call on Congress to protect SNAP and other nutrition programs. 

• Raise Awareness: Utilize social media (with #SNAP) and local media outlets to raise awareness about SNAP’s significance and the potential consequences of funding cuts. Encourage others to get involved and support the cause! 

• Engage in Public Forums: Attend town halls, community meetings and public forums where the Farm Bill is being discussed. Voice your support for a well-funded SNAP program and its importance in addressing food insecurity and poverty, both to your federal and state representatives (since SNAP is administered by the states, your state representatives have influence on your state’s SNAP program). 

• Vote Wisely: During elections, consider candidates’ positions on SNAP and other anti-hunger programs. Support those who prioritize the well-being of vulnerable communities and advocate for needed SNAP funding. 

While Congress is in its summer recess, now is the time to make sure the Farm Bill protects SNAP and related nutrition programs. Although only a fraction of federal spending, today’s Farm Bill will impact the wellness of millions of Americans for years to come. We hope to count on your support for this critical legislation.