advocacy, federal policy, snap

Don’t Balance the Budget on Alaska’s Hungry Families & Our Rural Economy

By Rachel Lord, Advocacy and Policy Director, AFPC

As Congress continues to debate the federal budget, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is once again on the chopping block. Proposed cuts through budget reconciliation could gut vital food assistance for millions of Americans, including tens of thousands of Alaskans.

SNAP is one of the most effective anti-hunger programs in the country. In Alaska, 10% of households rely on SNAP to help put food on the table. That includes nearly 20,000 children. Cutting this program doesn’t just hurt families—it hurts our economy.

Photo Credit: Food Research and Action Center

Every SNAP dollar generates an estimated $1.50–$1.80 in economic activity. That’s money spent at local grocery stores, farmers markets, and small businesses across our state. Slashing SNAP funding means less revenue for Alaska retailers, job losses in food supply chains, and increased demand on already-strained state and nonprofit services. In 2023, 553 Alaskan retailers redeemed over $281 million, including at farmers markets and small grocery stores. SNAP not only prevents hunger, it also supports local economies. 

Additionally, Alaska’s food banks and pantries are already operating at or beyond capacity. When SNAP benefits are cut, the need doesn’t disappear. That burden shifts to our frontline hunger relief organizations, which rely on donations and volunteer labor to operate. The result? Longer lines, emptier shelves, and more families turned away. The hunger doesn’t go away just because Congress turns its back. These cuts would not only remove money from the economy but place tremendous additional strain on anti-hunger networks that are not equipped to fill the gap left by federal disinvestment.

At a time when food prices remain high and food insecurity is rising, we cannot let this happen. Congress must protect SNAP—not gut it. Rural states like Alaska are going to be hit disproportionately hard by cuts like these and others proposed to Medicaid, school nutrition, and others. 

At the Alaska Food Policy Council, we are asking our Congressional Delegation to stand up for Alaskans and reject cuts to SNAP. Your voice matters, and we hope that you will also 

Take Action Today

You can take action at the link above or call Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, as well as Representative Nick Begich.

Urge them to oppose any budget deal that includes cuts to SNAP or other essential food and nutrition programs.

TALKING POINTS:

  • In Alaska, 1 in 10 households rely on SNAP benefits, including nearly 20,000 kids.
  • Cutting SNAP won’t just hurt families, it’ll hurt our rural economy.
  • Every SNAP dollar generates an estimated $1.50–$1.80 in economic activity.
  • In 2023, 553 Alaskan retailers redeemed over $281 million, including at farmers markets and small grocery stores.
  • When SNAP is cut, food banks and pantries, already stretched thin, are forced to do more with less. 

SAMPLE SCRIPT:

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I live in [Your City/Town], Alaska.

I’m calling to ask [Representative/Senator’s Name] to please oppose any budget proposals that would cut SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

In Alaska, one in ten households relies on SNAP to help put food on the table. That includes nearly 20,000 kids. Cutting this support would not only hurt families, it would hurt our rural economy too.

Every SNAP dollar brings in about $1.50 to $1.80 in economic activity.

Food banks and pantries are already stretched thin. They can’t make up the difference if SNAP is cut. The hunger won’t disappear just because the funding does.

Please protect SNAP. It helps working families, veterans, elders, and people with disabilities. It improves health, reduces hunger, and gives people a path out of poverty.

Thank you for standing up for Alaskans and saying no to cuts that would take food off the table.

CONTACT INFO FOR LEADERSHIP

Lisa Murkowski:
  • Anchorage: (907) 271-3735
  • Fairbanks: (907) 456-0233
  • Juneau: (907) 586-7277
  • Wasilla: (907) 376-7665
  • Soldotna: (907) 262-4220
  • Ketchikan: (907) 225-6880
  • D.C.: (202)-224-6665
Dan Sullivan:
  • Anchorage: (907) 271-5915
  • Fairbanks: (907) 456-0261
  • Juneau: (907) 205-3767
  • Wasilla: (907) 357-9956
  • Soldotna: (907) 262-4040
  • Ketchikan: (907) 225-6880
  • D.C.: (202) 224-3004
Nick Begich:
  • Anchorage: (907) 921-6575
  • Fairbanks: (907) 251-4560
  • D.C.: (202) 225-5765