This past weekend, millions of Floridians—including veterans, children, and seniors—saw their SNAP benefits run out. They are part of the 42 million people in our country now faced with increased food insecurity.

Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) began amid skyrocketing premiums and no relief in sight. For many, that means hard choices need to be made. During this prolonged government shutdown, many people missing paychecks are sinking deeper into poverty through no fault of their own.

In September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will stop collecting its annual food insecurity survey after this year. This survey tells us how many households in America struggle to afford enough to eat. Ending it means flying blind on one of the most basic measures of economic well-being—and the timing couldn’t be worse.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is now taking effect, cutting $186 billion from SNAP over the next two years and nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade. These cuts mean less help for people who need it most: parents working multiple jobs, seniors on fixed incomes, and families already stretched by rising housing and food costs.

We know these programs work. In Florida, SNAP helps more than 2.7 million people—about 11% of households—and nearly three-quarters of them live below the poverty line. In South Florida, the need is especially stark: Miami-Dade County has the highest share in the nation of SNAP households with someone over age 60, and nearly one in five residents struggles to afford enough food.

According to Feeding South Florida, our region saw a 20% increase in food bank visits this year, driven by rising rent and grocery prices. SNAP helps close that gap—but not for long if these cuts stand.

When these lifelines are cut, the consequences ripple throughout every community. Food banks are already strained. Parents will skip meals so their kids can eat. Seniors will face impossible choices between groceries and medication. These are not abstract statistics—they are the lived experiences of our neighbors.

Each of us can play a role in changing that. Reach out to your members of Congress and urge them to protect and strengthen SNAP, Medicaid, and the tax credits that contribute to our economic stability. Encourage your community groups, faith networks, and local leaders to speak up too.

Ending hunger in Florida starts with all of us raising our voices for policies that help people not just survive, but thrive. None of this is the fault of our immigrant neighbors, undocumented or otherwise. It is the political decisions—and lack of courageous actions—from our members of Congress that have gotten us here.

We must call on them to return to Washington and work together on real solutions. We can’t hide from poverty data or pretend food insecurity will go away on its own. Real change comes when everyday people stand together for one another and demand that our leaders do the same.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/11/02/floridians-must-speak-out-to-protect-food-assistance-opinion/