Governor Kim Reynolds has instructed the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to begin regular discussions with the state's food banks and to review Iowa's food insecurity response plan from the COVID-19 pandemic. These steps are being taken in preparation for possible delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the ongoing federal government shutdown is not resolved before November 1.
SNAP, which is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, supports low-income families by providing monthly food benefits. In Iowa, about 131,000 households depend on SNAP, amounting to $45 million in benefits each month.
Governor Reynolds said, “Because SNAP is fully funded and operated by the federal government, states are unable to step in and keep it running. But this issue could be resolved today if Senate Democrats would vote to reopen the government. If they continue to refuse, they’ll be choosing to put low-income American families at risk."
She added, “I’ve asked HHS to remain in regular contact with Iowa’s food banks so that we are aware of their current inventory and their ability to increase food orders and distribution if necessary. Our focus in Iowa will be on understanding the needs of food banks and pantries across the state and applying what we learned during the pandemic to support SNAP households if benefits are delayed.”
During March 2020, Governor Reynolds created the Feeding Iowans Task Force as a response to increased food insecurity caused by the pandemic. The group worked to assess feeding operations statewide and address any gaps in meeting Iowans’ nutritional needs.
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