Recently, Governor Bob Ferguson and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen visited Lynnwood Elementary School to distribute free lunches. They also talked with community leaders about the negative effects of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and local food assistance programs.
More than 100 kids enjoyed free lunches offered by the Foundation for Edmonds School District’s summer meal program. These programs are feeling the pressure as costs increase while funding decreases.
Ferguson pointed out how recent federal policies are harming Washington’s most vulnerable residents. “These cuts are not just morally wrong; they also hurt our economy and put additional strain on local support programs,” he said.
Larsen echoed this sentiment, criticizing the previous administration’s tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. “These tax cuts are a significant burden on programs that support everyday families,” he stated.
SNAP is crucial for around 1 million residents in Washington. With recent changes, 137,000 residents risk losing their benefits entirely, and 33,000 immigrants could lose eligibility. Furthermore, March saw a cancellation of $1.5 billion in funding for vital services, forcing programs like Bellingham Food Bank to terminate $200,000 in contracts with local farmers.
The impact is evident in Snohomish County, where demand for food assistance has skyrocketed. Lynnwood Food Bank served four times more people in 2024 compared to 2019, according to Executive Director Alissa Jones. “We’re busier than we’ve ever been,” she reported.
Increased food prices and demand are stretching budgets thin. “More working families can’t afford food because jobs alone don’t guarantee food security,” Jones added. Rising housing costs are also making matters worse, pushing people further into hardship.
John Glennon, director of hunger prevention services at Volunteers of America Western Washington, warns that the state could see a 26% drop in food from the Emergency Food Assistance Program. For example, the Foundation for Edmonds School District gained 21,000 pounds of food from this program recently, which may decline to just 15,000 pounds. Similarly, Edmonds Food Bank’s supply is expected to fall from 201,000 pounds to 148,000 pounds.
Despite a daunting $16 billion budget gap, Ferguson and Larsen are committed to advocating for universal free lunch in schools throughout Washington. Ferguson stated firmly, “I’m not giving up on this idea, even facing budget challenges.”
