News Summary
An anti-hunger program vital for 1.4 million Georgians faces potential cuts due to President Trump’s proposed legislation, threatening the future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Congressional Budget Office predicts a reduction of nearly $186 billion in SNAP funding by 2034, impacting low-income families’ access to nutritious foods. The elimination of the SNAP-Ed education component could exacerbate chronic health issues among vulnerable populations in Georgia, where food insecurity affects 15% of residents.
Atlanta, Georgia – An anti-hunger program critical to over 1.4 million Georgians is at risk due to the newly proposed President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” The bill threatens the operations of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which plays a vital role in allowing one in eight Georgians to afford food. If enacted, a Congressional Budget Office projection indicates a reduction of nearly $186 billion in SNAP funding by 2034.
The proposed changes include the elimination of the education component of the program, known as SNAP-Ed, which is crucial for teaching low-income families how to prepare nutritious meals on a limited budget. Georgians relying on SNAP are currently receiving approximately $187 per month per household member, which translates to about $6.15 in benefits per day for each individual.
SNAP benefits are applicable for a variety of groceries including fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and bread. However, they cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items. The program emphasizes the importance of healthy eating habits and physical activity as a preventive strategy against obesity and chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, especially in low-income neighborhoods.
One organization, Grow Initiative Georgia, based in Savannah, has been instrumental in utilizing SNAP-Ed funding to create customized programs for vulnerable populations including the elderly and disabled. The founder of the organization has expressed concerns that cuts to SNAP-Ed could lead to increased rates of chronic diseases due to the diminished availability of nutritional education in food-insecure communities.
Currently, 15% of residents in Chatham County face food insecurity, defined by the USDA as limited availability of nutritional foods. Following the recent passage of House Resolution I on July 4, Georgia’s Department of Health Services announced on July 8 that SNAP-Ed funding would be cut, with the program scheduled to end on September 30.
While some legislators argue that SNAP-Ed is a program plagued by inefficiencies and waste, research indicates that 56% of participants in Georgia have reported improvements in their nutrition practices. Grow Initiative Georgia has actively engaged 1,267 individuals this year alone, promoting essential knowledge about portion sizes and disease management.
The nonprofit organization is now exploring alternative funding avenues to sustain its educational services following the damaging budget cuts. A recent CDC study has raised alarms regarding rising health risks, noting that one-third of adolescents aged 12-17 years are prediabetic. SNAP-Ed initiatives included specialized programs catered to individuals with mobility or sensory challenges.
Compounding the challenges for SNAP beneficiaries, Georgia has seen a significant increase in SNAP fraud, which now ranks it at the top nationally for stolen benefits due to a recent cyberattack targeting the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) call center. The technical issues originating from this attack have hindered beneficiaries’ access to their accounts, resulting in delays in receiving necessary food assistance. Reports are emerging that recipients are struggling to use their EBT cards, leaving many unable to purchase necessary groceries.
As criminal activities surge, scammers have been reported to exploit vulnerabilities within the EBT system to steal benefits immediately after they are deposited. Despite claims from GOP legislators that cuts to food assistance will primarily affect those unworthy of support, counterarguments highlight that a substantial portion of vulnerable individuals rely heavily on these benefits.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank has warned that further legislative cuts to SNAP will dramatically increase demand for food assistance services, creating challenges in meeting the needs of affected families. Over the past three years, the demand for services from food banks in metro Atlanta has surged by 60%, underscoring the crucial role SNAP plays in addressing food insecurity across Georgia.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Cyberattack Fraud Cuts Put GA SNAP Recipients in Bind
- Wikipedia: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- WTVM: Frozen SNAP Benefits Impact Georgians
- Google Search: SNAP benefits
- Atlanta News First: Cyberattack Strikes Georgia’s Electronic Food Benefits Call Center
- Google Scholar: Cancellation SNAP benefits
- 11Alive: Families Locked Out of SNAP Benefits After Georgia Cyberattack
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Security
- WTOC: Problems Using Your EBT Card
- Google News: Georgia SNAP fraud
- WSBTV: Georgia SNAP Call Center Still Closed
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
