AUBURN, Maine – The proposed federal budget being considered by the Senate could significantly increase hunger in Maine and strain the state’s charitable food network, according to Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine.
If enacted in its current form, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would significantly restructure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other safety net programs, shifting costs to states and reducing critical food and health supports for Mainers.
“If this the changes move forward, food insecurity rates in Maine will increase significantly,” said Heather Paquette, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “Community pantries and other hunger-ending groups are operating with less resources, and they are not in a position to absorb the impact of cuts to SNAP and other federal programs. We are already running to keep up with today’s increased need. We do not have resources to fill the gap that would be created by this bill.”
People in Maine communities work hard every day to build better lives, and they need a strong foundation to succeed. Access to food and health care is that foundation.
The budget proposal includes a shift of SNAP funding responsibilities to states and reductions in benefit levels. These changes come as food insecurity remains elevated, and community food pantries report record numbers of visits.
According to research from Feeding America, more than 190,000 people in Maine are at risk of food insecurity, many of whom receive SNAP benefits. If the proposed budget is adopted:
- Many households would lose SNAP entirely or face a sharp reduction in monthly benefits, making it harder for thousands of Mainers to put food on the table.
- Maine would be forced to choose between reducing benefits, tightening eligibility, or cutting other vital services to absorb new funding responsibilities. The impact on the financial burden to the state of Maine could be $242 million to $814 million over the next decade, according to analysis from Maine’s Department of Health & Human Resources.
- The impact extends into local economies. In 2023, more than $350 million in SNAP benefits generated $548 million in economic activity, supporting grocery retailers and farms across the state.
These potential reductions follow recent reductions to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which have already led to fewer food deliveries and empty shelves at food pantries.
“This is not just about hunger,” Paquette added. “It’s about public health, local economies, and ensuring everyone in Maine gets the food they need to thrive. Federal nutrition programs provide the foundation that our local efforts rely on. Together, we ensure that families, children, and older adults have enough to eat. Experiencing changes of this magnitude significantly risks our ability to deliver our mission.”
Good Shepherd Food Bank and Maine’s statewide network of 600 hunger-relief organizations are committed to ensuring everyone in our state has access to nutritious food. But as Paquette emphasized, “We cannot do this alone.”