Public Statement from The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

September 23, 2025

The Trump Administration’s decision to cancel the USDA’s annual survey of household food security is deeply concerning. Ending this report means we will lose consistent, long-term data tracking hunger in America. Without this data, policymakers cannot be held accountable for the impact of the historic SNAP cuts recently signed into law by Congress and the White House, which are set to take effect beginning in the fall of 2026. Nor can we fully understand how these changes will affect families and individuals facing hunger and food insecurity.

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts believes it is essential to measure outcomes and impacts—this is sound practice for any for-profit business, government program, or non-profit initiative. Reliable data is not optional; it is the foundation required to build effective solutions to end hunger.

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts will continue to track the number of individuals receiving food assistance and the amount of food we provide in our region. We believe it is essential to make this information available to the public on our website: Our Impact & Hunger Data | Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

Our mission remains clear: to build lasting food security by providing nutritious food and partnering with communities to end hunger in Western Massachusetts.

Below is the USDA’s press release announcing this decision and responses from two national anti-hunger organizations: