KQED's Forum Trump Cuts to SNAP Program Threaten to Increase Hunger Locally, Nationwide
Sep 10, 2025
Lauren Bauer, a fellow at the Brookings Institute focusing on social safety nets, and Rebecca Piazza, Executive Director at Code for America with a background in USDA, discuss the drastic $186 billion cuts to SNAP. They highlight how these changes threaten the food security of 5.5 million Californians relying on Cal Fresh. The conversation delves into the implications for low-income families and the critical roles of community support and food banks in mitigating rising hunger levels amid economic downturns.
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SNAP Is Large, Direct, Federally Funded Aid
- SNAP provides grocery money on a debit card to eligible low-income people and is fully federally funded today.
- About 42 million Americans and 5.5 million Californians rely on the program for food purchases.
Bill Shifts Cost And Undermines Stability
- The new bill shifts financial and administrative burden to states by tying payments to error rates and cutting federal admin match.
- That change removes SNAP's automatic stabilizer quality and risks undermining program availability.
Balance Integrity With Access
- Avoid adding burdens that reduce access while chasing lower error rates; balance integrity with access.
- Rebecca Piazza warns states may add paperwork that denies eligible people benefits if pressured to cut errors.