U.S. food banks report record demand as federal benefit cuts and rising food and fuel costs strain supplies
Food banks across the United States are struggling to keep up with surging demand, with dozens of organizations telling NBC News that cuts and changes to federal food assistance under the Trump administration have pushed need to record levels in many communities.
The pressure is being compounded by higher grocery and fuel costs, which are increasing expenses for food banks at the same time more families are seeking help. In North Dakota, one food bank said it receives weekly calls from local anti-hunger organizations warning that their shelves are nearly empty.
In Oregon, rising diesel costs are consuming more of one food bank’s budget, leaving less money available to purchase food. In Maine, demand has climbed so sharply that some distribution centers have begun limiting visits and rationing items including milk, meat and fresh produce.
The strain comes as major changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are being phased in following legislation signed by President Donald Trump in 2025. The law tightened eligibility and work requirements and shifted some program costs to states, while also reducing projected federal spending on food assistance over the coming years. Food banks have warned that charitable organizations do not have the resources to replace federal benefits on that scale.
