SNAP cuts in Trump’s big, beautiful bill concern Louisiana farmers, food banks

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – As the United States Senate reviews, examines, and debates the merits of President Trump’s signature legislation, which he calls ‘One big, beautiful bill,’ those who advocate to end hunger in Louisiana gathered to discuss the implications of its passing.

Feeding Louisiana, the state association representing five food banks, organized a Zoom conference to explain how decisions and disruptions in Washington, D.C., are already having dire effects on residents.

John Sillars, Chief Strategy Officer of Second Harvest of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, said that since January, the sudden policy changes from the USDA have significantly disrupted the available food supply. “And for context, just to give you an idea, the importance of the USDA when food insecurity in Louisiana, not just south Louisiana, is up. 827,000 people. About 1 in 6 people are experiencing food insecurity, and about 30% of children.”

He said the changes could result in a loss of 3.7 million meals that the food bank will no longer receive from the USDA.

Regarding SNAP, Pat Van Burkleo, Executive Director of Feeding Louisiana, credited some legislative work being done to prevent state SNAP cost-sharing provisions but said “serious threats still remain.”

“The proposed changes to Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP would directly impact thousands of Louisianans, including children, seniors, low-income workers, and people living with disabilities,” Van Burkleo said.

Sillars said that for every meal a food bank in Louisiana provides, SNAP provides nine meals, making the program a critical part of closing the food insecurity gap throughout the state.

Many applauded Governor Landry for signing an executive order excluding foods such as soda and candy from SNAP purchases. However, SNAP-Ed, an educational component of the SNAP program, helps families prepare budget-friendly, quick, and easy meals that are nutritious and focused on healthy food, which is often on the chopping block. So families, particularly young families who may not have the best understanding of how to make the most of their food spending, are not only barred from buying certain foods, but they also may lose a resource that helps them understand meal planning.

“One of our Nutrition Ed presenters focuses on meals that are culturally relevant, such as soul food, but with a healthy twist – yet delicious, because it’s got to be good. Teaching people how to prepare meals enables them to stretch SNAP benefits that they receive in general. The ingredients for these meals cost less than prepared meals that they could buy. Given that they might not know how to cook, SNAP Education makes SNAP dollars go further,” Sillars said.

President of the NAACP Louisiana State Conference, Michael McClanahan, said the bill sacrifices the poor for the safety of the wealthy.

“What happens when those programs are cut? More ER visits, more childhood trauma, more incarceration. Why? Because you will have good, God-fearing people who will do anything to survive. Survival mode. More preventable deaths, more financial ruin – hopelessness.”

McClanahan called on Louisiana Republicans in the Senate to abandon support for the bill and vote against it. Saying to Senators Cassidy and Kennedy, “If you vote for this bill, you’ll vote against the lives of every Louisianan. Period.”

On Tuesday, Governor Jeff Landry was in Bossier City to sign several bills related to cuts and restrictions on Medicaid and SNAP benefits. He touted the event as the start of his administration’s “rein in big government.”

“Starting in the 2nd quarter of this year, we began a verification process for continued eligibility of enrollees in Medicaid, food stamps, which is the SNAP program, and unemployment benefits,” said Gov. Jeff Landry.

Joy Walters, Louisiana State Representative District 4, said, “I believe that this will hurt some of the most vulnerable people that we have in this state. We have one of the lowest around the United States, one of the lowest median incomes, and we have the most people on Medicaid, but it is not because people are trying to broad the system or something like that. People need health care.”

Walters’ sentiment is shared by Louisiana Senate President Cameron who expressed concern during the legislative session that the huge federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP could cost Louisiana $4 billion and would force the legislature to return for a special session.

To date, Governor Landry says the Louisiana “DOGE” team has recognized over $70 million worth of savings.” They will need to work day and night to find savings to make up the potential $4 billion gap that the big, beautiful bill could create.