Statement on the Passage of the Budget Reconciliation Bill

CONNECTICUT FOODSHARE STATEMENT ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET RECONCILIATION

BILL

Connecticut Foodshare President and CEO, Jason Jakubowski, responds

“Connecticut Foodshare is deeply concerned about the impact of the recently passed federal budget bill, which

includes significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). At a time when food

insecurity is rising nationwide and the cost of food and healthcare remains high, this legislation will worsen the

crisis for seniors, veterans, children, and families in Connecticut and across the country.

SNAP is the nation’s most effective program for addressing hunger and for every one meal a food bank can

provide, SNAP can provide nine.

These cuts of nearly $200 billion will eliminate the equivalent of around 6 billion meals each year. There is not

enough food in every food bank in the nation to make up the difference here. These cuts will increase

challenges for people facing hunger who are doing everything they can to get by and place even greater

pressure on food banks and meal programs responding to the growing need. They will also have a negative

economic effect on the nearly 2,500 retail businesses in Connecticut – including grocery stores – who currently

accept SNAP payments.

This legislation is a significant setback for people and communities already facing barriers to accessing the food

and resources they need to thrive. With the sustained high cost of food and healthcare, this is not the time to scale

back essential programs that help families stay afloat.

We are grateful to our two U.S. Senators and all five of our U.S. Representatives for their outspoken and ongoing

opposition to this bill, and their advocacy on behalf of those we serve. Connecticut Foodshare will be working with

our federal and state lawmakers to find ways to support our neighbors facing hunger who will be impacted by this

bill in the coming months and years. Our goal is to ensure that we have the necessary resources to continue to

provide the families we serve with the nutritious food they need to learn, work, and thrive.”

Additional background information on SNAP:

Connecticut Foodshare’s SNAP Outreach team helps individuals across the state apply for SNAP benefits. Anyone

who needs assistance applying can call 860-856-HELP (4357). Last year, Connecticut Foodshare’s SNAP Outreach

team helped 2,130 households apply for SNAP, which provided 1.3 million meals to neighbors in Connecticut.

SNAP also strengthens local economies by supporting grocery stores, food retailers, and farmers' markets.

Media Contact:

Ayah Galal

External Relations Manager

agalal@ctfoodshare.org

To view this statement as a PDF, click here.