Rural hunger a concern as questions on the future of SNAP programs linger

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Food insecurity in Missouri remains a concern in rural parts of the state.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” currently in the United States Senate, if passed, could result in those on SNAP benefits in Missouri losing some or all of their benefits.

The Congressional Budget Office states that under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a reduction in SNAP benefits of $285.7 billion would be expected from 2025 to 2034.

The United States Department of Agriculture reports that in 2023, SNAP served an average of 42.1 million individuals per month, spending $112.8 billion per month, with an average of $ 211.93 per participant. Under the proposed bill, it is estimated that in Missouri, 150,000 individuals are at risk of losing some portion of their SNAP benefits, with 68,000 potentially losing all of their SNAP benefits.

Jordan Browning with Ozarks Food Harvest says that in the Food Harvest service area, the rural need is still surpassing the average need,” We are still seeing the same elevated hunger statistics that we have seen over the past year, especially in the more rural areas in our service area. Our average is 1 in 5 children, but the second you get into those rural service areas, Texas County, Howell County, it changes to 1 in 4.”

Feeding America data shows that in Missouri, 951,330 people are food insecure. That is 15.4 percent of the population in the state. And 41 percent of people are below the SNAP threshold of 130 percent of the federal poverty level.

In Greene County, the Food Insecurity rate is 16.3 percent, compared to the 13.2 percent in Christian County and the 21.1 percent in Ozark County.

When it comes to helping those in need, Browning notes that the stigma of need remains a concern.

”Pride is a huge issue, and it is because we have really made it difficult for families to ask for help. Because so many times we are immediately attacking them and thinking they are stealing from a system. But really, it is the best thing for everyone, because as soon as they have access to food, that allows everything to start happening that much more quickly, whether that is applying for a job, remaining productive, or just taking care of their family. And that helps out the entire community by being able to access food in a timely manner,” says Browning.

In Missouri, 41% of those with Food Insecurity fall below the SNAP Threshold of 130%

“We are still seeing the same elevated hunger statistics we have seen over the past year,” says Browning.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index rose 2.4 percent in April, with the food index increasing at the same rate.

“We are attributing that to increased grocery prices, housing prices, and childcare all combining together to make it really difficult for families facing hunger,” says Browning.

Empower Missouri reports that there are approximately 100 food deserts in both rural and urban areas throughout the state.

“That grocery store is not having enough economic support to stay in that community; that is why certain programs like the SNAP Program are so important, as dollars are spent in the grocery stores, which incentivize the grocery store to stay in a rural community,” says Browning.

Now, with President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill before the Senate, the concern focuses on the reduction in SNAP benefits.

“Something like that catastrophic stress. I have to highlight that the food bank could not replace that amount of meals that would be lost if something like the SNAP Program were to change, or go to a cost-sharing model, we simply do not have the resources to replace that,” says Browning.

SNAP benefits in Missouri helped 107,000 people get above the poverty line from 2015 to 2019, including 46,000 children. However, some individuals choose not to participate.

“Education around the program as well, because the biggest problem we see is that so many who are qualified for the program automatically take themselves out of the equation. Because they think I am not qualified based on income or that I am taking care of a grandparent, or any number of reasons,” says Browning.

To see a breakdown of food insecurity by county, you can access the 2023 Missouri Hunger Atlas by clicking here.

The United States Department of Agriculture has a map to show access to groceries in low-income and low-access areas.

If you are interested in applying for SNAP assistance in Missouri, you can click here. For those living in Arkansas, you can visit this site to learn more about the program.

To read more of our reporting on rural food insecurity in this story. Food insecurity affects rural counties in the Ozarks more severely.

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