May Showers... Bring Pantry Flours?

SNAP is Under Congressional Scrutiny

As of May 2025, Congress passed the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” on July 4, which included sweeping cuts to safety net programs like SNAP.

The legislation adds new work or community engagement requirements: able-bodied adults under 64 without dependents must work or volunteer at least 80 hours per month. Parents with children aged 7 and older must now meet these thresholds as well—whereas before, parents with children under 18 were exempt.

According to outlets like Politico, Reuters, and Vox, up to 3 million people could lose SNAP benefits under these changes, with single mothers among the hardest hit.

Why Food Recovery Matters More Than Ever

As federal food aid tightens, the work of food recovery programs becomes even more urgent. This summer has brought several promising developments:

• Montgomery County, Maryland launched a three-part investment in infrastructure, logistics, and coordination to move more surplus food from retailers to food banks. A first round of $3 million in funding is helping expand cold storage, improve transportation, and build stronger nonprofit networks.

• Philadelphia’s Share Food Program received a $60,000 Foxwynd Foundation grant in May to strengthen food waste diversion and hunger relief across schools, pantries, and senior delivery programs. The organization reports that demand has doubled in just three years.

• The National Food Recovery Association (NFRA) officially launched in June as a coalition to connect food rescue practitioners nationwide, promote best practices, and give the movement greater visibility. It debuted at major events like Waste Expo and ReFED’s Food Rescue Hero summit.

• The Farmlink Project and Food Recovery Network continue to grow. FRN has mobilized thousands of student volunteers on nearly 200 campuses in 46 states, rescuing over 16.5 million pounds of food (the equivalent of about 13.8 million meals). The Farmlink Project, meanwhile, has already rescued more than 130 million pounds of farm produce nationwide.

• Feeding America remains the backbone of the national movement, rescuing billions of pounds annually through programs like MealConnect and its extensive local partnerships—all aligned with the national goal of cutting food waste in half by 2030.

Where Policy and Rescue Intersect

Food recovery networks are stepping up in meaningful ways—but they can’t fully replace government programs like SNAP. Sustained progress will require continued investment in:

• Infrastructure (trucks, cold storage, and sorting centers)

• Coordination (better systems between donors, nonprofits, schools, and shelters)

• Policy support (clearer legal frameworks and stronger government partnerships)

Recent grants and county initiatives show what’s possible, but national challenges remain. For example, SNAP-Ed nutrition education is slated for defunding after FY2025, which would cut programs designed to promote healthier choices alongside food assistance.

What We Can Do

The scale of these challenges can feel overwhelming, but local action still matters. Every volunteer shift at a pantry, every donated snack box, every partnership that keeps food out of landfills and in people’s hands makes a difference.

That’s why projects like Munch with Mal, Cool with Mal, and Freeze with Mal exist—because while we can’t control federal legislation, we can make sure our own communities stay nourished.