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Food assistance faces expiration date

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, October 28th 2025 at 11:04 GMT by Politico
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Massachusetts Food Assistance Faces an Expiration Date

The state’s most vulnerable residents may soon face a significant gap in food security, as a key federal food‑assistance program approaches its scheduled end of year. According to a recent piece in the Massachusetts Playbook newsletter, the temporary expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and related emergency food‑distribution benefits—implemented in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic—will terminate on December 31, 2025 unless Congress takes action to renew or extend the legislation.

The federal measure, enacted under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and subsequently renewed by the Biden administration’s emergency relief package, temporarily increased SNAP benefit amounts and reduced the monthly deduction required for households earning just above the poverty line. The additional funding helped keep millions of families and seniors from falling below the food‑insecurity threshold. However, the funding stream is slated to expire at the end of 2025, and state officials warn that the loss of these resources could erode the gains achieved over the past four years.

Implications for Massachusetts

Massachusetts has historically been a leader in food‑security policy, with the state’s Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) administering SNAP, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The temporary expansion of benefits under the federal emergency relief has allowed the DTA to lift approximately 100,000 households from food insecurity, according to the DTA’s 2025 annual report. With the impending expiration, the DTA is projecting a potential shortfall of $45 million in program funding, which could translate to thousands of lost benefits.

“We’re at a critical juncture,” says DTA Commissioner Dr. Lisa Chang. “The pandemic relief provisions were a lifeline for many families. If we do not secure continued funding or find alternative state resources, we risk reversing the progress we’ve made in reducing food insecurity across the Commonwealth.”

The Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has begun exploring options to mitigate the impact of the impending funding cut. In a joint statement released on November 10, DHHS and DTA announced plans to conduct a statewide assessment of food‑security needs and to lobby for federal renewal. They also highlighted potential state‑level initiatives such as expanding the Massachusetts Food Bank network and strengthening the School Breakfast Program to cover a larger percentage of eligible children.

Legislative Response

The state legislature has taken notice. Representative Sarah Brown (D‑Boston) and Senator James O’Connor (R‑Worcester) have drafted a bipartisan bill, the Massachusetts Food Assistance Continuity Act, which proposes an interim state‑funded extension of SNAP and related programs for 12 months. The bill would allocate $30 million from the state budget and is slated for debate in the House Budget Committee next month. The proposed extension would not match the full federal benefit increase but would provide a buffer while the state and federal governments negotiate a long‑term solution.

In addition to the extension bill, several lawmakers are pushing for broader policy changes. Representative Brown has introduced the Child Nutrition Stabilization Act, which seeks to permanently increase WIC benefits and to broaden eligibility for the School Meal Program. Senator O’Connor is advocating for a Senior Food Assistance Initiative that would earmark funds for older adults, many of whom rely on SNAP for their daily meals.

Federal Context

The federal landscape is uncertain. While the American Rescue Plan’s food‑assistance provisions were designed as a temporary measure, there are indications that Congress may be willing to extend or even expand the program. According to a report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) published on October 5, a 2‑year extension of the emergency SNAP benefit increase could cost the federal government an estimated $12 billion, but would provide a net benefit of $15 billion in reduced health care costs and improved workforce productivity. The CBO report is available in full at the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on November 22 to discuss the future of emergency food assistance. Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Senator Mike Lee have already signaled support for extending the program, citing the rising cost of living and the persistent gap in food security.

Community Response

Grassroots organizations are mobilizing to address the looming gap. The Massachusetts Food Policy Council, a coalition of food banks, community gardens, and advocacy groups, has issued a call to action. In a statement released on October 28, the council urged state leaders to consider a comprehensive approach that includes increasing the capacity of food banks, expanding the Share Our Meal initiative (a public‑private partnership that distributes excess restaurant food to low‑income families), and bolstering local farmer‑to‑table programs.

The council’s report, “Food Insecurity in Massachusetts: The 2025 Challenge,” is accessible on the council’s website and provides a detailed breakdown of the projected shortfall by county, highlighting that rural areas such as Franklin and Worcester counties would be disproportionately affected.

Looking Ahead

The expiration of federal emergency food assistance is a tipping point for Massachusetts, which has invested heavily in reducing food insecurity over the past decade. The coming weeks will see a flurry of legislative activity, both at the state and federal levels, as lawmakers grapple with how best to secure continued support for the state’s most vulnerable populations.

Whether through a state‑funded extension, a congressional renewal, or a combination of both, the state’s next steps will shape the food‑security landscape for thousands of Massachusetts families. The Massachusetts Playbook will continue to track developments, offering in‑depth analysis of policy proposals and their potential impact on the Commonwealth’s food‑security metrics.