Feed Our Families Act Creates 90-Day SNAP Funding Buffer for Government Shutdowns

The "Feed Our Families Act of 2025" sets up a specific financial safety net for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. Its main goal is straightforward: to ensure SNAP benefits continue without interruption for the first 90 days if a federal government funding gap – basically, a shutdown – occurs anytime after September 30, 2024. The bill achieves this by automatically appropriating the necessary funds, specifically reserved for SNAP operations during such a lapse.

Keeping the Lights On for SNAP

Think of this bill as setting up an emergency fund just for SNAP. According to Section 2, if federal agencies face a shutdown because funding hasn't been approved, this Act triggers the release of funds to keep SNAP running. This isn't a blank check; the money is earmarked only for maintaining SNAP operations as defined under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The funding covers the first 90 days of such a lapse occurring after the specified date. Importantly, these reserved funds don't expire at the end of a fiscal year; they remain available until they are spent, providing a dedicated cushion.

What This Means on the Ground

For the millions of individuals and families who rely on SNAP to purchase groceries, this bill aims to prevent the immediate anxiety and hardship that the threat of a government shutdown can cause regarding food assistance. Instead of benefits potentially freezing, this legislation provides a 90-day window of continuity. This stability also extends indirectly to grocery stores and retailers who process SNAP transactions, helping maintain that aspect of local economic activity during a potential shutdown. It essentially tries to take SNAP benefits off the table as an immediate casualty of a federal funding fight, at least for a three-month period.

The Specifics

It's crucial to note the parameters set by the bill. This automatic funding applies specifically to the first lapse in appropriations that happens after September 30, 2024. The 90-day duration provides a significant buffer, but it is time-limited. The core function here is ensuring continuity for a defined period, preventing an immediate halt to food assistance for SNAP participants when a shutdown begins.