Last week, House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson released the text of his Farm Bill proposal. His proposal would take $30 billion SNAP food dollars off the tables of extremely low-income families over the next decade – a $750 million cut for Massachusetts families between FY2027 and FY2033. If it were to be enacted, the bill would make the largest cuts to SNAP in nearly 30 years – since 1996’s failed welfare law.

Currently, 1 in 6 Massachusetts residents connect to SNAP to help put food on the table. A modestly priced meal in Massachusetts costs 30% to 70% more than the maximum SNAP benefit (and most families do not receive the maximum). 

Congressman Thompson’s proposal cuts SNAP by preventing future science and evidence based adjustments to SNAP benefit amounts. Scientists, nutritionists, and policy experts must be able to continue reevaluating the costs used to calculate SNAP in the future, so that SNAP can reflect the reality of the world around us. 

On May 16, 2024, 113 Massachusetts organizations sent this letter to the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, emphasizing that we are united in our opposition to cuts to SNAP. 

For additional statements opposing this proposal from anti-hunger, faith, labor, and environmental groups, see this House Agriculture Committee Democrats press release. 

We are grateful to our partners at Project Bread for working with us to reach organizations across the Commonwealth. 

For more information, please contact Pat Baker, pbaker@mlri.org, or Vicky Negus, vnegus@mlri.org.

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MLRI advocates Pat Baker and Vicky Negus co-chair the Massachusetts SNAP Coalition. Formed in 2000, the Coalition meets monthly and advocates for a robust, equitable, and accessible nutrition safety-net. The Coalition is made up of a wide range of community groups, health care providers, social workers, legal aid, and emergency food providers. To join the Coalition, contact vnegus@mlri.org