[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue calling on him to immediately withdraw the department’s latest series of cuts to funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a program that provides food assistance for low-income individuals and families. The rules could take away food support from thousands of Minnesotans, most of whom are children, seniors, or people who have disabilities, as well as causing the low-income families who do meet the qualifications to face significant reductions in support.

“This critical program provides food to thousands of Minnesotans – the majority of whom are children, seniors, and people living with disabilities. Let me be clear: These misguided policy changes will increase hunger across Minnesota,” Governor Walz writes in the letter.

Food insecurity is a serious issue in Minnesota and has been identified as a critical priority for children and families by the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet. One in twelve Minnesota families are food insecure. Of the three million visits per year to Minnesota’s food shelves, one in three food shelf visits are children.

“Having spent 20 years in the classroom, I see these cuts through the lens of a high school teacher. I taught students experiencing hunger. And I will tell you: a child cannot learn when they are hungry,” the letter continues. “Anti-hunger programs like SNAP are critical to student success and lay an essential foundation for building a competitive economy and next-generation workforce. Ensuring that families in need can access these programs is not only a moral imperative, it’s an economic one.”

Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan have also been drawing attention to hunger over the holiday season. They spent the afternoon helping families shop at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center food shelf, and then hosted a roundtable conversation with families, advocates, and non-profit leaders about hunger in Minnesota.

“Food insecurity is continually highlighted by parents, educators, child advocates and communities as a serious barrier impacting opportunity for children in our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “SNAP provides basic, critical support for thousands of children in this state, and it is our job to advocate for the thousands of families who rely on assistance to make it through hard times. As a kid, my family relied on SNAP. It is a critical program that literally keeps food in the bellies of Minnesotans.”

“SNAP is a vital safety-net program that supports people through tough times and can help boost families out of poverty,” said Allison O’Toole, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland. “These rule changes mean more kids will go to bed hungry, more parents will stay up late worrying about where their next meal is coming from, and Minnesota’s already-strained hunger relief network will be left to try to fill the gaps.”

Minnesotans are invited to get or give help at any time during the year – not only during the holidays. Give time, money or food to your neighborhood food shelf or food bank and find support at your local food shelf by visiting hungersolutions.org/find-help .

The full text of Governor Walz’s letter is available below:

December 23, 2019

The Honorable Sonny Perdue
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

Dear Secretary Perdue:

I write to express my deep concern with the Department of Agriculture’s continued efforts to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This critical program provides food to thousands of Minnesotans – the majority of whom are children, seniors, and people living with disabilities. Let me be clear: These misguided policy changes will increase hunger across Minnesota.

On three occasions over the last year, the Trump Administration has proposed cuts to SNAP. Similar cuts were brought forward in Congress and rejected. The State of Minnesota has formally voiced our opposition to each of these proposals, and I write to reiterate our concern today. These cuts would hurt Minnesotans across the state, hitting families in rural communities particularly hard.

The proposals would take away food support from thousands of children, seniors, and people living with disabilities. Even families that meet the new qualifications under these rules would face reductions to the already limited benefit of $1.40 per person per meal. Contrary to the Trump Administration’s claim of supporting local control, the proposed SNAP rules undermine Minnesota’s authority over food assistance and create heavier administrative burdens on local governments.

Having spent 20 years in the classroom, I see these cuts through the lens of a high school teacher. I taught students experiencing hunger. And I will tell you: a child cannot learn when they are hungry. Anti-hunger programs like SNAP are critical to student success and lay an essential foundation for building a competitive economy and next-generation workforce. Ensuring that families in need can access these programs is not only a moral imperative, it’s an economic one.

As Governor, I will explore every opportunity to stand up against your attacks on fundamental programs that serve our Minnesota families. These proposed cuts do not reflect Minnesota values. Here in our state, we believe in “One Minnesota”—where we lift each other up and support our children, families, and neighbors in need. I urge you to withdraw these proposals immediately.

Sincerely,

Governor Tim Walz

cc: President Donald Trump