The Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts for 2026 could have devastating consequences for millions of Americans who rely on food assistance programs. As families gather for Thanksgiving dinner next year, many may find themselves permanently without access to essential nutrition support.
Food and nutrition have been at the forefront of national policy discussions, especially after the recent government shutdown disrupted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and school meal reimbursements. The shutdown highlighted the critical role that federal nutrition programs play in keeping families fed, with nearly 40% of SNAP participants being children.
However, the real impact is yet to come with the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes the largest cuts to nutrition assistance in U.S. history. These cuts directly contradict the Trump administration’s health agenda, which promotes healthy eating habits and discourages the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
The harsh reality is that you cannot improve the nutritional standards of a nation while simultaneously slashing the programs that help people afford nutritious food. The proposed cuts will push millions towards cheaper, unhealthy food options, exacerbating the already alarming rates of chronic diseases and shorter life expectancy.
The issue extends to schools as well, where the contradiction between nutrition standards and funding cuts threatens to undermine efforts to provide healthier meal options for students. Stable funding is essential for school districts to meet higher nutrition standards, yet the proposed bill will remove automatic eligibility for free breakfast and lunch under SNAP and Medicaid.
Food insecurity is not just about hunger; it’s about health. Families who struggle with food insecurity often resort to low-quality, high-calorie options, leading to increased risks of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and premature death. While the administration is right in advocating for dietary changes, millions of families may struggle to access healthier options if their food budgets are reduced.
To align food security with nutrition goals, policy solutions must prioritize protecting and strengthening programs like SNAP and school meals, expanding nutrition incentives, modernizing procurement and standards, supporting community-based nutrition programs, and promoting reforms like labeling and accessibility to healthy foods.
Thanksgiving serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of federal nutrition programs in ensuring that all Americans have access to nutritious food. Empowering families to make healthier choices requires more than just rhetoricāit requires sustained funding and support for effective programs. If we truly want to improve the nation’s health through better nutrition, we must ensure that everyone can afford to eat well.
