How SNAP cuts reshape food sourcing for New Jersey’s food banks

Michael Schrob, Director, Food Sourcing & Procurement

As Director of Food Sourcing and Procurement at CFBNJ, I manage the acquisition of food from three main sources: purchased products through grants and private financial donations, government programs, and food donations from New Jersey retailers, food industry donors, and local farms. When SNAP changes, more families will turn to food banks to bridge the gap – but our food sourcing capacity won’t automatically increase to meet that demand.  
 
Purchasing decisions may change. CFBNJ carefully budgets for different food categories – fresh produce, frozen protein, shelf-stable items, and more. If benefits decrease and demand rises, we may have to adjust the mix of products we source to serve more people. For example, we may need to reduce purchases of fresh produce and protein items to purchase less expensive shelf-stable items in order to serve more families. The goal remains nourishing New Jersey families with healthy food, but when every dollar needs to stretch further to meet increased demand, the variety and mix of what we can offer could change.  
 
We’ll rely more on donated food and private financial support. Our partnerships with food retailers and distributors will become even more critical, as would the individual donors and community groups who provide donated items and the funding to purchase food. If SNAP benefits are reduced and we have more families to feed, these donations will need to fill a much larger gap. Government budget cuts put the responsibility on individuals, companies, community groups, and foundations to help ensure that our neighbors are fed.  
 
The operational reality is challenging. Food banks are already managing reduced government food supplies with less Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) this year. The termination of the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program (LFPA) directly impacts fresh produce and protein purchases from New Jersey farms and producers.  
 
The bottom line: We’re committed to addressing food insecurity in New Jersey, but SNAP changes may mean sourcing food for many more families without additional resources to work with. SNAP cuts don’t just affect recipients; they reshape how food banks operate and what we can provide to our communities.