South Jersey is facing a deepening hunger crisis. With unemployment climbing and the cost of groceries, utilities, and housing continuing to rise, recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are already rippling through communities — and the effects are being felt far beyond individual households.
Read more about how New Jersey communities are responding to political challenges here.
Rising Prices, Shrinking Support
For thousands of families in South Jersey, SNAP benefits aren’t a luxury — they’re a lifeline. But with federal cuts now in effect, that lifeline is being stretched thinner than ever. Many households have already reported needing to skip meals, reduce portion sizes, or rely on cheaper, less nutritious food to get by.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Food prices remain stubbornly high due to inflation, supply chain pressures, and increased fuel costs. A gallon of milk, a carton of eggs, or a bag of fresh produce now costs significantly more than it did just two years ago, putting added strain on low- and middle-income households.
Impact Beyond the Dinner Table
While the immediate concern is hunger, the SNAP cuts are also affecting other parts of the community:
- Local Farmers: Farmers who once supplied produce to markets and school meal programs are seeing reduced demand as purchasing power falls.
- Public Schools: Many school districts depend on federal nutrition programs to keep students fed. With less assistance available, they’re struggling to fill the gap.
- Food Pantries: Nonprofits and food banks are reporting record demand, with some locations serving twice the number of families they did before the cuts.
The strain is so severe that some pantries have begun rationing food items to make sure they can serve everyone who walks through their doors.
Who Feels It the Most?
Children, seniors, and people with disabilities are often hit hardest during times of reduced federal aid. In South Jersey, where rural communities and small towns may have fewer resources, the challenge is even greater.
Many of these families live in areas with limited access to fresh food — known as “food deserts” — meaning that when SNAP benefits drop, options for affordable nutrition are already scarce.
Communities Rallying Together
Despite the hardship, South Jersey residents are stepping up. Community centers, churches, and grassroots organizations are organizing food drives, meal delivery programs, and pop-up farmers markets to keep food accessible.
Local leaders are also urging residents to contact their representatives and advocate for the restoration of full SNAP benefits, arguing that food security is a fundamental need, not a political bargaining chip.
Explore more on how political decisions are shaping life in New Jersey.
Looking Ahead
The long-term effects of the SNAP cuts remain to be seen, but experts warn that continued food insecurity can have lasting impacts — from increased childhood malnutrition to greater strain on healthcare systems and public services.
As South Jersey braces for the months ahead, one thing is clear: addressing food insecurity will require more than stopgap measures. It will take coordinated action at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure that every New Jersey family has access to healthy, affordable food.
