On Nov. 1, the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service temporarily paused the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program due to insufficient funds caused by the federal government shutdown, leaving the 30,000 Washtenaw County residents who depend on monthly food benefits reeling. During the government shutdown, which ended Wednesday, multiple local organizations and businesses took action to lessen the impact caused by the SNAP cuts. SNAP benefits have since resumed following the reopening of the federal government.
More than 51,000 Washtenaw County residents identify as food insecure, but not all have equal access to SNAP benefits, which require a specific set of eligibility requirements, taking household expenses, income and residency into account.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Mara Logan, shift manager and food access team member at Argus Farm Stop, said the shutdown emphasized the role local organizations can play in assisting the broader Ann Arbor community, even after SNAP benefits have been fully restored…