Starting this newsletter sharing resources on where to donate and how you can support those affected by SNAP cuts.
On November 1st, about 42 million people, including 16 million children, are set to lose their SNAP benefits. Experts are calling this “the greatest hunger catastrophe since the Great Depression.”
SNAP supports children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities. According to USDA, almost 40% of SNAP participants were children, 20% were elderly, and 10% were nonelderly individuals with a disability.
This is the first time in US history that SNAP benefits will be completely halted.
Where to Donate:
Find your local food bank here.
Community Fridges:
Donate or stock your local community fridge. You can locate them here.
If you own a food business redirect your surplus through this channel to connect it with those in need.
New York City’s largest food rescue organization.
Contribute to helping feed military families who may be affected by SNAP cuts.
Call your representative.
So far here’s a list of the states are disbursing emergency funds to help subsidize SNAP benefits during this time—
New York
Louisiana
Missouri
Delaware
California
Maryland
Illinois
Minessota
New Mexico
Maine
Massachusetts
Oregon
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Virginia
West Virginia
Washington
Happy Halloween to those who celebrate—
As I’ve written about extensively, millennials are the snacking generation, something that was aided by the deregulation of children’s advertising in the late 80s—that allowed for a golden era of snacks from Lunchables to Gushers, indoctrinating a whole generation into overly sweet and salty products, from cereal to candy.
As a 90s millennial myself, this is one of the reasons why I was looking forward to chatting with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs of California’s 51st District about her introduction of the No Tricks on Treats act which requires the proper labeling of foods, including kids’ candy, cereal, and snacks, that contain dyes, flavoring, and sweeteners.
Her No Tricks on Treats act feels in line with what governments like Mexico have enacted to help protect kids from being manipulated by branding, for example, there are no mascots allowed in any food or drink products marketed to children, on top of bearing a label that marks the products with excess sugar and excess calories.
Can you tell us more details on the new labeling requirements under the No Tricks on Treats act? Is there a mockup of how this would look like?
CSJ:
My bipartisan bill would require all packaged foods that the FDA regulates to have prominent, accurate labeling on the front of the packaging identifying if the food contains dyes, flavoring, and sweeteners. Consumers would no longer have to inspect the packaging on all sides and Google the ingredients list to actually know what’s in their food and if it’s safe to give to their kids. It would be up to the FDA to determine what the actual labels look like, and there are examples of what other countries that have similar requirements have done. The labels are mandated to be prominent – and if they’re not, the FDA can use its tools like warning and untitled letters, import alerts, recalls, debarments, civil money penalties, injunctions, and seizures to enforce this bill.
Considering multiple generations have been indoctrinated into legacy brands which you’re specifically targeting with this new act, has there been any conversations with BigFood brands on a specific timeline before this regulation takes place?
CSJ:
No, we haven’t had conversations with Big Food brands about this legislation – but I expect there would be significant pushback. Consumers should have accurate, easy-to-access information about what’s in their food so they can make informed decisions. I think Big Food brands don’t want consumers to be informed about what’s in their food because it could eat into their bottom line if consumers make other choices. However, there are some Big Food brands that are working with states and the FDA to provide greater transparency for consumers, and we look forward to seeing a lot of changes starting in 2027. Smaller brands are beginning to take some market share from legacy brands – and that’s created more diversity in products, new innovation, and competition in the best way for consumers. And I’m really excited and hopeful that this trend will continue.
In part, this is why there’s so much distrust of the food and farming system in our country. A handful of corporations control most of the market for seeds, fertilizers, meat processing, grocery retail, and packaged foods. And that leads to higher prices for consumers, fewer options, more processed food, and less room for small, healthy, or local producers. Big Food brands have very little incentive to innovate or improve the quality of their products to make them healthier, and so we’re stuck with grocery store aisles flooded with sugary, salty, highly processed products, while healthier or local options are harder to find and more expensive.
As private label grows and takes share from legacy brands, grocery stores themselves have a greater influence into what we eat and drink, will we see these new label requirements also be required for grocery store private label products?
CSJ:
Yes! These labels would be required for all food processed, packaged, or sold in the United States regulated by the FDA.
Something that is weighing heavily on everyone’s minds right now is the government shutdown cutting off SNAP benefits this weekend and how it will particularly impact children. As concerns grow on more policing of what can be purchased via SNAP can you confirm whether or not the No Tricks or Treat act would have any impact on this at all?
CSJ:
This is a really important question. I’m not the parent police or the sugar police – and this bill wouldn’t take food off the shelves or dictate what can or can’t be purchased with SNAP. I think judgments and criticisms on what people buy with SNAP benefits are deeply misplaced, fuel stereotypes and shame, and discourage families from applying for benefits they need. All consumers – including low-income people relying on SNAP benefits – should be trusted to make their own choices. I just want everyone to have accurate information. The real problem here is poverty and access; it’s incredibly difficult for low-income families to find and afford healthy, local food. And that’s why we need to do more broadly to address food insecurity and inequality by strengthening local and regional food systems and expanding programs like SNAP and WIC.
With Gen Alpha being the Youtube generation, the boundaries between what is advertising and what is content have basically been erased. Youtube creators like Mr. Beast and Logan Paul have launched snack lines specifically targeting today’s kids—introducing products that are being disguised as better versions of legacy brand food and drinks like hydration and snacks—how will the No Tricks or Treats act help protect new generations of children from this influence?
CSJ:
Information is power. And the No Tricks on Treats Act would give all consumers – including kids and teens – accurate information about what’s in their food so they can make informed choices. I also hope that these labels trigger some curiosity in kids and hopefully jumpstart their learning about our food system!
Thank you so much for your time, is there anything the consumer should know about the No Tricks on Treats act?
CSJ:
This bipartisan bill is about delivering transparency, improving kids’ health, and leveling the playing field because it makes every consumer an informed consumer. We’ve seen some states like California and West Virginia, governed by both Democrats and Republicans, take significant actions to restrict synthetic food dyes – but I believe we also need federal legislation to guarantee transparency so that a consumer in California doesn’t have more information about their food than someone in Alabama.
More and more people are taking steps to educate themselves about their health – because they can’t inherently trust Big Ag and Big Pharma. Unfortunately, some people are taking advantage of this curiosity for their own gain – but I believe strongly that we should provide all people with accurate information about their food, health, and well-being, so they can make the best choices for themselves.
Thank you!
Great interview!