'One Big Beautiful Bill' Takes Food Off The Table For Millions, Deepening The Hunger Crisis

Over the weekend, the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" ushered in a domestic policy agenda that threatens to reverse decades of progress in alleviating hunger and poverty in the U.S.

Jenique Jones, Executive Director of WhyHunger - a nonprofit working to end world hunger and the injustices that cause it - issued the following statement:

"Hunger is a policy choice. And the recently passed federal legislation will have consequences that deepen hunger and poverty for millions of Americans.

The shockwaves of this bill will land squarely on the shoulders of those already struggling to make ends meet - families, seniors, low-wage workers, and immigrants - compounded by devastating cuts to two of our nation's most vital safety nets: SNAP and Medicaid.

The threats to food security are massive. They go beyond historic cuts to SNAP and expanded, controversial work requirements, which will take food off the table for millions, including children, veterans, and those searching for jobs in an unforgiving market. States that can't afford the new cost burden will be forced to either strip benefits from people or shut down SNAP programs entirely, according to the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Coupled with unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and burdensome red tape, millions will lose access to life-sustaining healthcare. There is no question that this bill prioritizes profit over people, forcing millions to struggle with hunger and poverty.

The impacts on our food system and the people who rely on it for survival are far-reaching. Resources are being pulled from climate and clean energy programs and poured into initiatives that detain and deport immigrants - many of whom are the backbone of our food system, working in the fields, factories, and kitchens that feed America.

Having worked on food security and food justice for 50 years, WhyHunger knows firsthand that our nation's food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens cannot fill the gap. The charitable food sector is already stretched thin by growing needs, rising prices, and a wave of previous cuts and freezes to vital programs. It cannot - and will not - take on the government's responsibility to ensure the fundamental human rights of its citizens. Food is not a luxury; it's a basic human right. The American people deserve so much more.

We cannot simply accept the choices made in this bill. We must stay informed and organized, supporting and engaging with local organizations that share our values. We choose to stand in solidarity with the millions who refuse to be victims of this legislation and continue to fight for systemic change and policies that prioritize the health and dignity of all people."

About WhyHunger

Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger funds and supports community solutions to protect the human right to food. In nearly five decades of innovation and evolution, our programs and our grassroots partners in 24 countries have expanded agricultural practices that are better for the planet, helped communities address the root causes of hunger, and ensured access to nutritious food for millions of people. As a grassroots support organization, we stand behind the leadership of the people most impacted by hunger and injustice. We prioritize providing resources to support the rights of communities who have been historically excluded from defining and controlling their food systems. We advocate for workers' rights and champion agroecological food production that unites science and sustainability with Indigenous knowledge and wisdom. Together we can build socially and economically just food systems that nourish all people and the environment. Learn more at whyhunger.org and follow us on Facebook , Twitter , TikTok and Instagram .