With the recent passing of the federal budget bill, more than 900,000 Washingtonians could lose all or some of their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, according to the Washington state Department of Social and Health Services.
SNAP/EBT allows people to purchase food, rather than foregoing meals to pay rent or medical bills. U.S. Census data for 2023 shows that 15% of Lewis County residents received SNAP. Half those households included children and 78% had at least one worker.
These cuts hurt our neighbors. The sad reality is that some jobs don’t pay enough to make ends meet. With food costs continuing to rise, an end or reduction of assistance will be a double whammy for community members. It likely means longer lines at food banks.
Toledo Neighbors Program has already seen an uptick in the people coming through their doors.
These cuts affect people striving for a better life. It’s expensive to eat healthy. A Toledo Neighbors board member told me they conducted a survey where 60% of the folks shared they’re eating healthier, thanks to access to free produce. A hard-working friend who owns a small business says that using her EBT at the market allows her to “prioritize nutritious food and creates a major quality of life improvement.” An acquaintance who’s near retirement and waiting on disability says her SNAP benefits allow her to contribute to monthly bills, which is especially important since one household member was recently laid off.
These cuts hurt local farmers. People using their EBT cards can get up to $25 matched for buying local produce at many farmers markets. Awesome, right? I talked to several farmers who said that SNAP purchases, along with WIC and senior nutrition benefits, can make up 15-30% of their market sales. For small farmers, losing those sales could be devastating, especially in conjunction with their increased farm costs and reduced access to selling to schools and food banks, thanks to massive cuts to those programs in March.
But the farmers I spoke to were more concerned about their customers. One told me, “It’s not just the sales, but the personal joy I feel knowing what I put so much work into is going to someone who will appreciate it and benefit from it.”
Everyone deserves access to nutritious food. That’s why I grow extra vegetables, why I spent time serving on the Chehalis Farmers Market board, why I worked and now volunteer for Nature Nurture Farmacy, and why I helped revitalize the Boistfort School garden.
I hope you’ll join me in speaking out against future policies that hurt our neighbors. In the meantime, invite a neighbor to share a meal or attend a community dinner. Shop at farmers markets and farm stands. Donate time or money to organizations that distribute food.
Mostly, don’t forget stats and figures have faces. Because some of us are one accident, one sick child, one emergency away from needing a little help.
Farley Walker
Curtis
