As the federal government shutdown continues into November, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is now without funding, leaving hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans without the resources necessary to put food on the table.
In response, Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Nick Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced that the state is accelerating the delivery of $42.5 million in food and hunger grants to emergency food organizations (EFOs), or food banks, ahead of the halt in SNAP benefits, as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.
Over 800,000 New Jerseyans across 400,000 households have been impacted. Almost half of the 800,000 are children, nearly one in three are individuals with a disability and one in five are over the age of 60.
Despite the availability of approximately $6 billion in federal SNAP contingency funds for emergency circumstances, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it would not fund SNAP benefits starting on Nov. 1, 2025. Although court rulings have directed the Trump Administration to release the funds, the effects would not be immediate.
“In communities across our state, food banks are on the front lines combating food insecurity and supporting New Jersey families in need,” said Gov. Murphy. “They are an integral part of our food security safety net, and our administration is proud to deliver funding to support their operations, especially at a time of increased uncertainty.”
“The impending cutoff of vital food assistance for New Jersey residents is an unconscionable affront to our core values of caring for those in need,” said Senate President Scutari. “The SNAP benefits that will be lost or delayed are a nutritional lifeline that puts food on the table for young families, senior citizens and the disabled.
“Accelerating the delivery of grants to emergency food organizations in our local communities will help alleviate this food crisis. We are stepping forward to support the organizations and individuals who are working selflessly to prevent our fellow residents from going hungry.”
The following food and hunger grants have been expedited to support food banks:
- Community Food Bank of New Jersey ($22,525,000)
- Food Bank of South Jersey ($6,375,000)
- Fulfill Monmouth & Ocean ($6,375,000)
- Mercer Street Friends Food Bank ($4,675,000)
- Norwescap ($1,275,000)
- Southern Regional Food Distribution Center ($1,275,000)
Numerous pantries offer fresh produce in addition to stable, nonperishable foods, shopping appointments and information about additional services. Residents can locate food pantries and community kitchens via NJ 211 here.
“In moments like this, we all have a responsibility to step up and do our part to ensure no one goes hungry. I urge our leaders in Washington to act swiftly to restore this funding and to end this uncertainty for the hundreds of thousands of families who rely on SNAP to put food on the table,” said Assembly Speaker Coughlin.
