Food safety nets will return to pre-COVID-19 budgets.
SNAP provides food assistance to low-income families and individuals. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provided emergency SNAP allotments “to help meet temporary food requirements throughout the pandemic,” according to its website. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 will reduce emergency allotments for 1.6 million New York households.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office WatchBlog discussed how the epidemic affected food insecurity. The office blamed COVID-19 for food insecurity in the US.
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“This figure may have escalated for particular populations during the pandemic as more Americans experienced job loss or reduced salaries due to COVID-19’s economic impacts,” they concluded. COVID-19 interrupted the U.S. food supply system and exacerbated the national hunger crisis.
Feeding America reports substantial food insecurity in Broome County. Broome County’s food insecurity rating was 13.8 percent on Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap,” compared to New York’s 9.6 percent. SNAP eligibility was 76% in 2020 in Broome County.
The 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act funds government agencies. This bill funded defence, disaster assistance, and health care but eliminated the pandemic-era SNAP benefit boost.
Forbes reported that inflation was 1.2 percent before the outbreak and 8.1 percent in 2022.
Inflation and supply chain concerns have also hurt food banks. Les Aylesworth, director of Binghamton’s Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW), spoke to WBNG about inflation’s effects on his food bank.
Aylesworth said supply chain concerns and inflation have made procuring food harder for every group. “We have been travelling longer and more often to make sure the food in the building behind me is stocked and ready for folks.”
According to ny.gov, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has suggested an emergency assistance supplement for SNAP households to offset this fall in benefits. In late March, when government allotments are rerouted, these households should get SNAP increases, according to the website.
The Binghamton University Food Pantry provides nutritious food to students who are food insecure due to SNAP adjustments.
Food Pantry supervisor Matthew Pangburn, a senior double-majoring in political science and history, explained how the pantry might meet some of these needs.
“While we do not know the SNAP status of the kids that utilise the pantry, any move to lessen the degree of help for those who are food insecure will result in increased problems having access to steady, healthy and adequate food,” Pangburn noted in an email.
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“The Food Pantry is always ready for more consumers, and we hope students in need will use our service.”
Integrative neuroscience freshman Kat Santos highlighted Binghamton’s soaring inflation.
“It’s simply amazing to me that when I go to the cheapest grocery shop nowadays, just a carton of 18 eggs costs me $7.19,” Santos said. Mozzarella sticks cost $11.79. Because I can’t afford much, I have to cut back when I go out.
