Dietitians Respond to the SNAP Food Access Crisis and How You Can Help
We’re watching dietitians across the country share resources, spread facts, and support their community members who are losing access to food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) come November 1st and we want to share some of their resources with you!
In case you missed it, the USDA recently announced that SNAP benefits will not be distributed on November 1st, impacting more than 42 million people, including 16 million children
We’ve gathered a few of the resources our dietitian colleagues have shared to support your work as a nutrition professional and help you stay connected with others creating and sharing tools for their communities.
Your Latina Nutritionist is sharing powerful tools through their Latina Nutrition Library on Instagram — from a general guide to food resources for those impacted by the SNAP cuts to a state-by-state list of available food programs (click images below for direct links to these resources).
Across the country, dietitians are lifting up local solutions: @grits_inc is sharing resources for the Jackson, Mississippi community, while @EatWellExchange is hosting free farmers market in Durham, North Carolina.
And if you work with families, check out @kidseatincolor’s Affordable Flavors — a 30-day low-cost meal plan with recipes developed by a team of dietitians
Here’s a summary of the meaningful ways dietitians and community members are taking action in response to the SNAP crisis:
Donate money to local food banks and pantries. Even small contributions stretch far when demand spikes. Find your local food bank here — and remember, some may not be Feeding America members but still urgently need support.
Connect clients to mutual aid groups. Many are organizing emergency food deliveries, ride shares, and rent support.
Donate food to food banks, pantries, and community fridges. Before donating, check what items are most needed @Christinaychu shared guidance on her IG stories about donating nutrient-dense and culturally relevant foods from an RDNs perspective.
Support food rescue initiatives. Restaurants and other sites with prepared foods can help redistribute surplus food. Check out what nutrinolo shares about the Good Samaritan Law which protects donors sharing pre-made meals.
Call policymakers. This resource provides a script and details so you can urge them to release emergency USDA funds and restore SNAP benefits immediately.
Volunteer your time. Food banks and community kitchens will need extra hands as shelves empty and demand rises. Use this tool to find a local food bank — and if yours isn’t listed, reach out directly through their preferred communication channels.
Stay informed. Use credible sources like the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), FoodCorps, Share Our Strength and the National WIC Association to stay up to date on facts that can support the work you do.
As nutrition professionals we can play a role helping our community's personalize and simplify meals with what they have access to, while promoting culturally relevant nourishment!
We know these resources are not exhaustive. If you have more resources you want to share. Fill out the form above and check out results at this compiled excel sheet here.