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A Trump administration move to end federal funding for a nutrition education program for low-income families will cut 60 jobs in Minnesota and cause serious harm to families, program advocates say.
Money for SNAP-Ed, the educational component of the nationwide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, was eliminated in the massive Trump administration budget bill recently signed into law.
Employees at SNAP-Ed were notified this week that the University of Minnesota Extension's Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing will be dismantling the program by Sept. 30.
“We are shocked by this decision and something that has always been supported by both consumers and farmers,” Patricia Olson, associate dean at the extension service. “Healthy food for folks who are SNAP-eligible are our most vulnerable folks. Connecting farmers and the market has been a stellar, known outcome of this program, and so we're really devastated.”
For over two decades, the state's SNAP-Ed program has taught recipients how to stretch their federal assistance money, offered cooking recipes and provided other customized programming. They’ve also connected farmers to information about SNAP collaborations.
Throughout the process, Olson said staff were kept informed as more information came out of Washington. She said they are working to help connect laid off staff to work opportunities.
“So there's going to be a large hole that will be left when our about 60 staff are no longer doing this work, and so we're really sad about that. But we also know that they have left a legacy,” Olson said.
In a statement to MPR News, Department of Children, Youth and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown said these changes will cause “serious harm” to Minnesota families, communities and local partners.
“SNAP helps children, seniors and people with disabilities get the nutrition they need to stay healthy, while also supporting local farmers, grocers and communities,” Brown wrote. “At a time when food shelf visits are at record highs and families are already struggling with rising costs, now is not the time to take away this critical support.”
Brown said the department is working with SNAP-Ed grantees, including tribal nations on next steps.
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