food insecurity

As food costs rise, Texas families are struggling to keep up, according to a new poll from No Kid Hungry Texas. Advocates warn federal policy and funding changes could worsen the effects on Texans.

More than 5 million people are no longer getting food aid in the wake of a slew of cuts and changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. As changes to the program continue to unfold, rural Americans face unique problems.

The federal law requires states to attain error rates below 6% or face paying a percentage of the state’s SNAP benefits, depending on the error rate level.

Rising grocery and fuel prices, immigration enforcement fears and the scaling back of SNAP benefits are among the factors advocates are concerned are contributing to the trend.

The One Big Beautiful Bill requires states to pay for some food assistance based on error rates. Advocacy groups want the penalties delayed to avoid SNAP service cuts.

Starting April 1, Texans will no longer be allowed to use food stamps to buy sweetened beverages and candy.

“These are not just abstract numbers. These are Kansas kids losing access to food,” said Haley Kottler, senior campaign director at Kansas Appleseed.

Texas has a 91% Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, accuracy rate — which could mean the state will be responsible for more than $700 million in benefits costs. If Texas has to cover part of the benefits costs, it would be the first time since the program started in the 1960s.

Starting April 1, Texans won't be able to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to purchase "candy or sweetened drinks." Texas retailers and nonprofits have spent month preparing for the new restrictions — but some recipients may not know until they're checking out at the store.

Starting April 1, Texans will no longer be allowed to use food stamps to buy sweetened beverages and candy.