Breaking through the noise: Federal food policy, local impact
Here’s the big picture: Federal food policy is highly consequential for local people – if not for yourself, then for your neighbors, friends, family members, or colleagues.
Cuts to safety net programs alongside widespread political and economic uncertainty come at a cost both to our emergency food system and the increasing number of people who have become ever more reliant on it. Amidst funding cuts and a challenging fundraising landscape, some food programs have even suspended services. Others are turning to organizations like ours to help fill the large gaps created by these big hits to our infrastructure. Food access (and in particular access to healthy food) has become alarmingly more challenging. At the same time, food continues to be the top material in Massachusetts’ waste stream.
Below, you’ll find a deep dive into just some of the federal actions impacting our food system, our neighbors, and our work now. We aim to keep this page current with additional time-stamped updates to help you continue to break through the noise. Feel free to bookmark it so you can come back later.
At any point, we invite you to jump ahead to “Now what?” for actions you can take today to support our food system.
What’s happened so far?
Listed in roughly reverse-chronological order.
U.S. House budget proposed new and increased taxes on the nonprofit sector
The House budget relies on nearly $50 billion in new and increased taxes on nonprofits (like Spoonfuls and many of our community-based partners) to pay for proposed tax cuts.
Why this matters: If this budget is ultimately passed, money currently supporting public health and safety, housing, food security, and more would instead be redirected to the U.S. Treasury at a time when more people are more reliant on these programs. In addition, with uncertain economic forecasting, fundraising has taken a hit across the sector. All of this is devastating for our industry and, more than that, people who benefit from various social services. Additional reading here and here.
What’s next: Senators are drafting their proposed budget now – and you have an opportunity to voice your concern. Contact your senators and ask them to oppose new and expanded taxes on foundations and nonprofits. Encourage your out-of-state friends to do the same. Visit our Advocacy page and download our Advocacy Toolkit for tips and resources.
U.S. House budget proposed historic cuts to SNAP
In May, the U.S. House voted along party lines for a budget that included $290 billion in federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, over 10 years, shifting the burden to states to attempt to make up the difference. (And while that sounds like a big number, for context, SNAP represented only 1.5% of the U.S. budget in 2024, while military defence represented 13%.) In Massachusetts, these cuts would make the state responsible for over $710 million in additional SNAP spending per year.
Why this matters: The state doesn’t have $710 million per year to allocate to benefits and benefits administration. If ultimately passed, the federal budget, inclusive of these measures, would represent the greatest attack on the safety net in history. It would also place an undue burden on an already stretched emergency food system. More of our neighbors would become reliant on local pantries for the food they need for themselves and their families. Learn more.
What’s next: These cuts aren’t final yet. Right now, the U.S. Senate is drafting its proposed budget, and then it’ll work with the U.S. House on a combined budget. Let your representatives know that you want them to stand strong against SNAP cuts. For the biggest impact, encourage your friends outside of Massachusetts to do the same.
USDA funding cuts impacting food banks and food bank-supported programs
In late March, the administration ordered the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to significantly reduce funding for emergency food resources, including $3.3 million for Massachusetts food banks alone, a full 17% of the Greater Boston Food Bank’s food budget.
Why this matters: Absent private philanthropy to fill the gap, there will be less food reaching local pantries and meal programs. These cuts make it more challenging for our emergency food system to be responsive, which is particularly problematic amidst rising rates of food insecurity and threats to federal safety net programs like SNAP. More here.
USDA funding cuts impacting farms and schools
In early March, the Trump administration cancelled funding, totalling $1 billion nationwide, for the Local Food Purchasing Program (LFP) and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement (LFS).
Why this matters: Before these programs were canceled, Massachusetts was expected to receive $18 million to purchase local food in 2025. Over the past few years, over $11 million from these programs supported the purchase of local food from 500 farmers in our state. Through food banks and other organizations, this food reached 700 community sites (many of them schools and afterschool programs) in underserved communities. While schools lose access to affordable, local food, farmers (many of them already disenfranchised) are losing business and scrambling for new buyers. When they don’t find them, food waste results. For more, check out this story about Massachusetts farmers.
Shifting immigration policy
The ramifications of executive orders aimed at documented and undocumented immigrants to the United States are many, and they have an important bearing both on our food system and neighbors in need.
Why this matters: More than ¾ of crop workers in the country are immigrants. When they don’t show up to work, supply chain disruptions follow. Studies suggest that resignations inspired by these orders and related deportations at the level anticipated under the Trump administration could cut the agricultural workforce by at least 16%. In addition, emergency food assistance organizations (including some in Spoonfuls’ network) report that immigrant families in need, including legally documented immigrant families, are “hungry at home,” sometimes foregoing visits to the pantry out of fear for themselves and their families. Read more here and here.
The dismantling of USAID
In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order abolishing the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID food programs serve over 60 million people around the world, including children facing famine.
Why this matters: The cuts to USAID have impacted global food security in already-vulnerable places, including those responsible for generating more food that parts of the world, including ours, rely on. This disruption comes at a time when more people are in need owing to things like military conflicts and climate change. In addition, right now, food rations enough for 3.5 million people per month, rations already allotted for distribution, were held up in warehouses and ports around the world, including Boston. Spoonfuls’ Founder & CEO, Ashley Stanley, spoke to CBS in February to discuss the impact of this food potentially going to waste. Today, across the U.S., USAID food continues to go bad as it sits in storage.
Now what?
For urgent calls to action, we recommend following Spoonfuls on social (@spoonfulsfoodrecovery on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn). For some evergreen action items in support of a stronger safety net – and food system! – check out the recommendations below:
Stay informed
We know the news cycle can be a lot to digest. If you struggle to keep pace with the latest or find the news of the day hard to handle, consider subscribing to newsletters or reading blogs from your favorite nonprofits. They’ll give you firsthand insight into what local organizations, their partners, and end-recipients are experiencing now. Sign up for Spoonfuls’ newsletter and bookmark this blog as an easy way to check back for the latest.
Become a storyteller
Reshare what you’re reading. Forward an email. If you feel inclined, post about your own experiences accessing food or supporting others to do the same (be thoughtful about respecting people’s privacy). Have a conversation. Respond to misinformation and disinformation by offering facts and resources.
Talk to your elected officials (which could look like an email, a phone call, or a request for a meeting)
When you have their ear, tell them what you care about and why and how you hope they’ll vote if given the opportunity. It’s actually that simple. If, like here in Massachusetts, your delegation is supportive of a strong safety net, say thank you – and encourage them to do even more to educate and rally their colleagues. Your personal stories are sometimes among the most impactful and influential. For more, check out our Advocacy page and download our Advocacy Toolkit.
Reach out to friends and family in other states where there’s less support for programs like SNAP
Encourage them to reach out to their elected officials, describe the impact and consequences of policy actions on local people facing food insecurity, and encourage them to vote for a stronger food system.
Vote
Don’t miss an opportunity to help decide who gets to represent your interests in your city/town, state, and country.
