FRAC Chat

On May 2, 2025, the Trump administration unveiled its fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget proposal, signaling a significant shift in federal priorities. While Congress holds the power to make spending decisions, the administration’s proposal outlines substantial cuts to programs that support Americans with low- and moderate- incomes. If implemented, these reductions threaten to exacerbate poverty, increase food insecurity, and dismantle critical tools that help individuals escape poverty.

This article is part of a series examining the wide-reaching — and often overlooked —consequences of proposed SNAP cuts. Gina Plata-Nino, JD, deputy director of SNAP at FRAC, speaks with John Benedict, CEO, farmer, and co-founder of The Local Co-op in rural Arizona. His story offers a powerful example of how local food systems, entrepreneurship, and SNAP work together to support not only food access — but entire communities.

Remembering an Advocacy Hero and Former FRAC President

March 27, 1942 – April 8, 2025

This week, the House Education and Workforce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the federal child nutrition programs, including school breakfast and lunch, unveiled legislation that would cut $330 billion in federal spending by gutting higher education programs and support. This bill was passed out of committee and now heads to the Budget Committee, where it will be bundled with other committee bills before it is considered on the House Floor.

This article is part of a series examining the sweeping and often overlooked consequences of proposed SNAP cuts, sharing a range of perspectives — from health experts and policy leaders to frontline grocers and rural providers — about the ripple effects of slashing the nation’s most critical anti-hunger program. Today, we hear from Nick Levendofsky of the Kansas Farmers Union on how these cuts could affect rural communities, agriculture, and local economies.