Food connects us all. But behind every meal is a web of policies that shape who can afford to eat, what they can buy, and how far their dollars stretch. When that web is torn, it is families and communities who feel the strain first.

Earlier this year, Congress approved the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBA), a sweeping budget deal that made headlines for its size and scope. What got less attention is that it also delivered the deepest cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the program’s history.

SNAP has been called the country’s first line of defense against hunger. Each month, more than 41 million people use it to buy groceries. In Philadelphia, nearly one in three residents depends on it. In Minnesota, it is close to half a million people. In Kansas, almost 190,000 families use it, and in the Bay Area, more than 100,000 residents rely on CalFresh, the state’s version of SNAP. These are not distant numbers. They are our neighbors, coworkers, and classmates.

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The Scale of the Cuts

Over the next decade, the bill pulls $186 billion out of SNAP. That figure is unprecedented, but the rules attached to it may have an even sharper impact. 

Adults between ages 55 and 64 must now meet new work requirements. Parents with children aged 14 and older will also be subject to these conditions for the first time. The elimination of SNAP-Ed, a program launched in 2010 that funds nutrition education and teaches families about healthy meal preparation and physical activity, will now affect as many as 90 million low-income Americans.

Policy analysts project that 2.4-4 million people will lose benefits each month. That means fewer groceries in the cart, more tough choices at the checkout line, and greater pressure on already stretched food pantries.

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Who Will Carry the Burden

Cuts on paper translate quickly into hardships in real life. Older adults nearing retirement, low-income workers juggling shifts, parents caring for young children all stand to lose critical support. The ripple effect reaches children who arrive at school too hungry to focus, and local nonprofits who must stretch their supplies further just to meet the need in front of them.

Research shows that SNAP reduces the likelihood of food insecurity by nearly 30 percent. Pulling back that safety net threatens to undo years of progress in keeping families stable.

What’s at Stake for Communities

The national numbers tell a stark story: millions of meals will be lost each year. But the local view is even more sobering. Partners in our network are already bracing for shorter food boxes, longer lines, and tougher choices about who can be served. This bill shifts the burden from Washington onto neighborhoods, congregations, and community organizations that are already stretched to their limits.

How We Move Forward

The SNAP cuts are a major setback but they can also be an opportunity to reimagine and build a more resilient food system. Together, we can create emergency response and bridge programs to ensure residents hit hardest are receiving support in real time. By working with local funders and governments, we can pilot rapid-response delivery programs for high-need populations while policy shifts are in play.

We can also strengthen our local food systems by leaning on farms and sustainable growing practices that decrease reliance on federal dollars in the future. This approach is not only more resilient but also more empowering for individuals and communities.

Other steps we can take together include:

• Expanding community-based distribution hubs that ensure fresh food reaches neighborhoods most impacted by inequities.
• Investing in culturally relevant and nutritious meal programs so families don’t just get food, they get food that supports health and dignity.
• Building stronger collaborations across nonprofits, schools, hospitals, and farms so no one sector is carrying the burden alone.
• Advancing equity and innovation in food access solutions by listening to and uplifting the voices of residents who are most affected, ensuring solutions are designed with, not just for them.

This moment calls for bold action and shared responsibility. Consider becoming a monthly donor to help Food Connect and our partners invest in a resilient response and long-term solutions. Together, we can make sure setbacks don’t define the future and instead build a food system that is equitable, just, and strong enough to withstand the challenges ahead.