Texas food banks say SNAP cuts would worsen hunger
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Over 22% of Bexar County children live in food-insecure households, per new estimates first shared with Axios from Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks.
Why it matters: Texas food banks are warning potential cuts or changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could exacerbate the hunger crisis across the state.
- At the same time, tariffs on imported foods could affect millions of Americans.
How it works: Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap report is an annual effort to make local estimates about food insecurity among different groups, in part by using government data.
- The childhood food insecurity rate represents the share of children who live in food-insecure households, which lack or have uncertain access to adequate food.
- See more about the methodology here.
By the numbers: The overall food insecurity rate in Bexar County is nearly 19%, and Black (31%) and Hispanic (26%) households are disproportionately affected.
Zoom in: Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, said Tuesday that proposed cuts to SNAP would require states to pay 75% of administrative costs, instead of 50%, "which would hobble the program's ability to meet increased need," per a news release.
- The association estimates the state would spend an extra $87 million per year on administrative costs if Congress approves that cut, adding that there's no guarantee Texas could make up the gap.
What they're saying: "The proposed SNAP cuts are of an unprecedented scale that food banks could never compensate for," Theresa Mangapora, Brazos Valley Food Bank executive director and Feeding Texas board chair, said in a statement.
- "I worry that the only solution for us is just to ration, and that means give families less food," Eric Cooper, CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, told KSAT.
Zoom out: An estimated 14 million U.S. children overall live in food-insecure homes. That's about one out of every five kids.
- The rate tends to be higher in relatively poor, rural counties — but there are urban areas with high rates as well, like New York's Bronx County (33%).
- Hancock County, Georgia (47%), Perry County, Alabama (47%), and Holmes County, Mississippi (46%), had the highest estimated childhood food insecurity rates as of 2023, per Feeding America.
The big picture: Childhood food insecurity is one piece of a broader hunger problem exacerbated by rising food costs.
- The total amount of money people in food-insecure U.S. households need to buy enough food rose from $28.5 billion in 2022 to $32.2 billion in 2023, up 8.4% when adjusted for inflation.
What's next: As the school year nears its end, the perennial threat of "summer hunger" will be an issue for students who rely on school meals to get enough to eat.
- Texas is not participating this year in a federal program that helps feed children over the summer.