With the looming suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the federal government shutdown, Arizona’s food crisis is intensifying. Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has announced a $1.8 million fund allocation to support food banks across the state as they prepare for increased demand.
Starting November 1, SNAP benefits will be halted, leaving nearly 900,000 Arizonans in a food insecurity predicament. In anticipation, food banks are already noticing a surge in demand. However, this $1.8 million support is a fraction compared to the $156 million monthly SNAP funding Arizona typically receives.
“It is appalling that the Trump administration is choosing to withhold food from vulnerable Arizona families, using them as leverage in their political games,” Gov. Hobbs stated. She emphasized the state’s limited financial capacity to offset the federal cuts but assured efforts to minimize the impact on residents.
In response, Hobbs also appealed to retailers, grocers, and the fresh produce sector for additional contributions and resources to aid affected families.
Despite previously indicating that COVID-19 relief funds were depleted, Hobbs’ administration is allocating $1.5 million to food banks and $300,000 to the Food Bucks Now program, which provides $30 vouchers to SNAP households redeemable at select grocery stores and farmers markets.
Meanwhile, Arizona Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined 21 other state attorneys general in a lawsuit against the Trump administration to compel the continuation of SNAP funding. The lawsuit argues that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) should utilize alternative funding sources to sustain SNAP.
The USDA, which has a significant contingency fund, contends that these funds are reserved for natural disasters, differing from a previously deleted shutdown plan that suggested the funds would cover SNAP benefits. Currently, the USDA website attributes the shutdown to Democrats.
Attorney General Mayes has urged Gov. Hobbs and the state legislature to convene a special session to consider using the state’s “rainy day fund” to mitigate the SNAP funding cuts.
Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services contributed to this report.
