Leaders in Virginia Warn SNAP Cuts Could Devastate Families and Communities

Virginia leaders and community members gathered at a press conference to speak out against sweeping federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that will deepen hunger and hardship across the state and country. The HR1 bill, now set to take effect, will slash $187 billion from SNAP by 2034, stripping vital support from millions of Americans — including more than 440,000 Virginia families. 

Children and Families Stripped of Vital Support

For families with children, SNAP is more than a safety net — it’s a lifeline. It not only ensures kids have enough to eat but also determines eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals. Reducing these benefits means children could face hunger at home and at school, putting their health and education at risk.

“A study published this year found that SNAP helps protect kids from developing heart disease, but rather than Making America Healthy Again, this historic cut to SNAP will do just the opposite,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan.

Virginia mother Asia Broadie described what the cuts mean for her family: “I have to rely on SNAP to help me feed my kids so that I can make ends meet. Taking people’s food away from them is so cruel. My kids are doing well in school because they’re obviously fed. They can get some fresh fruit in the morning before heading out to school. I want my kids to have a nice career one day, and SNAP helps them focus in class, to be able to do that.”

Veterans Hit Hard

The bill also introduces stricter work-reporting requirements for nearly 35,000 military veterans in Virginia who rely on SNAP to make ends meet.

“No veteran who has served this country should ever have to worry about going hungry in this country,” said Sen. Hashmi.

Impact on Local Economies

The cuts will ripple through local economies as well, particularly in underserved neighborhoods where independent grocery stores depend on SNAP sales to stay afloat.

“Independent grocery stores operate on slim margins. When you have low margins and high fixed costs, you have to have high volume. In any given month, over 20% of our sales are paid for with SNAP dollars. Without SNAP I don’t know if we could still make it,” said Derek Houston, CEO of The Market at 25th in Richmond.