As of November 1, 2025, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be cut off, eliminating benefits for more than 42 million Americans. Overnight, families and individuals who rely on this essential safety net will be left wondering how they’ll afford their next meal.
While The Food Trust is not a food bank providing emergency food, our programs work to ensure that healthy food is accessible and affordable in every community, every day.
When a crisis like this hits, community-based organizations like ours step up to fill the gap in any way we can and fight for our neighbors’ right to delicious, nutritious food. They need us all now more than ever. Here’s our plan:
- We’re hosting a series of No-Cost Pop-Up Farm Stands, inviting shoppers to get what they need, for free, in neighborhoods where healthy food can be hard to find. (Stay tuned for dates and locations at thefoodtrust.org or by following us on Instagram.)
- We’re activating our Food for Friends mutual aid program, which allows shoppers at our Philadelphia farmers markets to support one another: Shoppers with resources can donate directly to our Community Food Bucks program, and shoppers who need help can immediately use those funds to bring home more fruits and vegetables. (Click here to contribute to the fund.)
- We’re stretching remaining SNAP dollars. Throughout November or until further notice, we are expanding Food Bucks criteria for customers who still have funds left on their EBT cards. At select sites, SNAP transactions will be matched dollar for dollar with Food Bucks; we’ve lifted the cap on earnings; and Bucks can be used for frozen fruits and vegetables. This is active at Philly and Pittsburgh Food Bucks farmers markets, and additional sites will be coming online on a rolling basis, please check our website and social media for the latest details. This means that if you have $20 left on your EBT card from October and you spend it at one of our locations, you will receive an additional $20 in Food Bucks. As a reminder, families can still use any SNAP balance after Nov. 1, and all previously earned Food Bucks are still valid.
- We’re distributing thousands of dollars in extra Food Bucks. Thanks to our partnership with the City of Philadelphia and other sponsors statewide, we’re ensuring that families are supported to bring home healthy food. (Community partners may email us at contact@thefoodtrust.org to inquire about participating.
- We’re providing fresh produce to select school pantries, so that families in our nutrition education network don’t have to choose between eating healthy and eating enough.
We’re partnering with pantries, schools, retailers, farmers and community organizations to get healthy food to as many people as possible – and we’ll keep going for as long as it takes. That’s our commitment to the communities we serve.
Here’s what you can do to help right now:
- Reach out to your local food pantry to see what help is needed most – donations, volunteers or supplies.
- Call your representatives and urge them to release emergency contingency funds to restore SNAP access.
- Spread the word: Share this message, learn more about our efforts at org, and stand with the organizations fighting hunger in your community.
Together, we can support families in getting the food they need through this unprecedented time.