Across Ohio, nutrition programs are already under strain. Community-based organizations (CBOs), food banks, and local agencies are stretching every dollar and volunteer hour to meet growing needs. But with proposed federal budget cuts threatening $267 billion in reductions to SNAP over the next decade, these programs could face a tipping point.

SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is the foundation of nutrition access for millions of Ohioans. When it gets slashed, the ripple effects won’t just hit individual families; they’ll overwhelm the very organizations trying to hold our communities together.

Ohio’s CBOs Are Already Overloaded

CBOs are the connective tissue of Ohio’s safety net. They operate food pantries, deliver home meals, offer assistance with benefit applications, and reach residents who might otherwise be left behind. Programs like Meals on Wheels, for instance, provide not only nourishment but also wellness checks and social interaction, especially for older adults and people with limited mobility.

But these organizations are already stretched thin. Most rely on a combination of local funding, volunteers, and state contracts. As inflation raises costs and needs continue to grow, many CBOs report difficulty keeping up. If SNAP benefits are significantly reduced or if more administrative responsibilities shift to the state level, these local organizations may be asked to do even more, with no corresponding increase in resources.

“This cost shift wouldn’t just hurt families,” said Joree Novotny, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. “It would impact local grocery stores, farmers, and food suppliers, threatening jobs and access to fresh food in communities across Ohio.” 

SNAP Changes Could Affect the Most Vulnerable in Ohio

The majority of SNAP recipients in Ohio are families with children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. In fact, nearly half of Ohio children under age six receive their health coverage through Medicaid, and many also rely on SNAP for access to nutritious meals. For those living in rural counties or on fixed incomes, even small reductions can mean hard choices between food, medication, and transportation.

• 70,000 older adult households in Ohio receive less than $50/month in SNAP benefits

• The average benefit is $171/month per person, or about $6 per day

• Many seniors and people with disabilities rely on home-delivered meal programs when grocery trips aren't feasible

If SNAP benefits are reduced or restructured in a way that reduces access, people may skip meals, delay care, or turn to already-overloaded local programs for help.

Nutrition programs help close that gap, but these services also face volunteer shortages, rising costs, and long waitlists.

Looking Ahead at Nutrition Programs in Ohio

One proactive step already under consideration is Ohio House Bill 178, which would provide supplemental SNAP benefits to seniors receiving less than $50 per month. The cost, $12.5 million in FY2026, represents a targeted investment in the state’s most vulnerable residents, and it has received bipartisan support.

“Access to SNAP benefits can reduce food insecurity, increase medication adherence and contribute to health care savings.” —Hope Lane-Gavin, Director of Nutrition Policy and Programs, Ohio Association of Foodbanks

This type of local innovation shows how states can help buffer the impact of federal changes, especially when done in partnership with frontline organizations. Still, experts agree that state-level efforts can only go so far without consistent, predictable federal support.

How to Prepare Your Program for SNAP Changes

Thoughtful reform of public programs is part of responsible governance. But changes to SNAP, particularly if they come with fewer dollars or greater administrative burden, will inevitably land on the desks of already overextended CBOs, food banks, and local agencies.

Ohio’s nutrition infrastructure is collaborative, resilient, and deeply community-driven. But it is not unlimited. If SNAP is reduced without corresponding support for the organizations that fill in the gaps, we risk undermining the very system that helps people weather hard times.

At Blooming Health, we’re proud to support nutrition programs across the country. Check out this case study to see how the AARP Foundation unlocked $180k in SNAP Benefits for older adults in NYC.

Sources:

• Tebben, Susan. “U.S. House Republican Cuts to Medicaid, Food Assistance Would Impact Hundreds of Thousands in Ohio.” Ohio Capital Journal, May 23, 2025. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/05/23/u-s-house-republican-cuts-to-medicaid-food-assistance-could-impact-hundreds-of-thousands-of-ohioans/