FRAC Chat

This article is part of a series examining the sweeping and often overlooked consequences of proposed SNAP cuts, sharing a range of perspectives — from health experts and policy leaders to frontline grocers and rural providers — about the ripple effects of slashing the nation’s most critical anti-hunger program. Beyond the headlines, these changes threaten to destabilize families, shutter small businesses, and weaken local economies.

This article is part of a series examining the sweeping and often overlooked consequences of proposed SNAP cuts. Beyond the headlines, these reductions threaten to destabilize families, shutter small businesses, and strain local governments already operating under tight budgets. In this installment, Gina Plata-Nino, JD, Deputy Director of SNAP at FRAC, interviews Joseph M. Petty, Mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts. Mayor Petty shares how SNAP cuts would hit cities hard—disrupting local economies, increasing demand on overwhelmed food pantries, and undermining the ability of municipalities to meet residents’ basic needs. Their conversation underscores the critical role of SNAP in sustaining resilient, thriving communities.

This article is part of a series exploring the varied impacts of proposed SNAP cuts. Today’s conversation is with the Mayor of West Sacramento, who shares her perspective on how these changes would affect her city and its residents.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides essential nutrition support and health services for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to 5 years old. WIC currently serves over 6.7 million people who are nutritionally at risk.

Summer EBT, in conjunction with the traditional summer meals programs, provides key nutrition support to children when school is out by providing families with approximately $120 on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card per summer per eligible child to help with food costs during the summer months.  Summer EBT is a method proven to decrease food insecurity and improve nutrition. This summer, 38 states and the District of Columbia, five territories, and five Tribal organizations have opted to participate in the program.