SNAP Cuts Threaten Free School Meal Programs as Over 1 Million Children Lose Food Benefits
Over 1 million children have lost SNAP benefits since July 2025 when stricter work requirements took effect under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The decline in SNAP participation directly reduces federal funding for universal free meal programs at schools under USDA's Community Eligibility Provision, which ties reimbursement to the percentage of students in assistance programs. Schools in San Antonio, Houston, and Miami-Dade have already ended universal free meal programs, and nutrition experts warn more districts may follow as federal reimbursement drops and meal debt climbs. Arizona saw the steepest SNAP enrollment decline with over 180,000 children losing benefits.
States operating Community Eligibility Provision programs face declining federal reimbursement as SNAP enrollment drops, forcing budget trade-offs between universal free meals and other priorities while risking increased meal debt.
Maternal · CHIP
You might also like