Gov. Walz unveils $4 million for MN food shelves as shutdown could halt SNAP benefits

Gov. Walz unveils $4 million for Minnesota food shelves

Gov. Tim Walz was at Open Door Pantry on Monday to unveil $4 million in funds for Minnesota food shelves that could be impacted by having SNAP benefits cut due to the federal government shutdown.

EAGAN, Minn. (FOX 9) - Gov. Tim Walz announced $4 million in emergency funding will go to Minnesota food shelves as the ongoing government shutdown threatens to cut off SNAP benefits for countless Minnesota families.

Emergency funding for food shelves

What we know:

Gov. Walz unveiled on Monday "emergency one-time funding" of $4 million for state and Tribal nation food shelves. The Federal Shutdown Emergency Food Support Grant will be distributed to 300 food shelves across the state, with each location getting a base amount of $5,000. 

Gov. Walz announces $4 million for MN food shelves [RAW]

Gov. Tim Walz announced $4 million in emergency funding for Minnesota food shelves as the ongoing government shutdown threatens to cut off SNAP benefits for countless Minnesota families.

"Food shelves provide a refuge for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. Yet the Trump Administration has chosen to cut off these critical benefits that keep families from going hungry," said Governor Walz. "But if Washington won’t lead, Minnesota will. This funding will serve as a lifeline to help Minnesotans weather the storm."

SNAP aid at risk: What Minnesota is doing

The ongoing government shutdown means SNAP benefits for roughly 440,000 Minnesotans will be halted on Nov. 1. To help manage the gap, Gov. Tim Walz released $4 million in emergency funding for food shelves. FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard has more on the story.

The backstory:

The emergency funding comes as the federal government shutdown jeopardizes benefits for 40 million Americans and 440,000 Minnesotans who rely on programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Of the 440,000 Minnesotans using SNAP and Minnesota Family Investment Program benefits, 36% are children and 18% are seniors, according to a press release. 

The USDA confirmed on Monday that no SNAP benefits will be issued on Saturday, Nov. 1, if the government shutdown continues. The notice follows the Trump administration’s decision against using the roughly $5 billion in contingency funds that would have extended SNAP benefits through November. 

With the potential changes to SNAP benefits, food shelves in Minnesota are tightening their budgets in anticipation of increased demand. Second Harvest Heartland previously noted that for every person the food banks and shelves can feed, SNAP feeds nine, indicating they cannot fill the gap if SNAP benefits are reduced. 

In 2024, there were almost 9 million visits to food shelves, up from 3.8 million visits in 2021. 

SNAP food benefits at risk amid government shutdown

As the government shutdown nears the one-month mark, more Americans will start feeling the pain. The Trump administration is now warning that food assistance programs are just days away from running out of money. FOX’s Doug Luzader has more on the story.