Food Waste Groups Step Up as SNAP Benefits Face Government Shutdown Crisis

As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history threatens food security for millions of Americans, organizations originally founded to combat food waste are pivoting to become emergency hunger relief providers. The crisis highlights a stark irony: while nearly 42 million SNAP recipients face benefit delays and cuts, the U.S. continues to waste enormous amounts of perfectly good food.

The shutdown has created a legal battle over SNAP funding, with federal courts ordering the Trump administration to provide full benefits while the government appeals these rulings. Judge John McConnell called the situation unacceptable, stating “This should never happen in America.” Meanwhile, states warn that even when funding is restored, distribution delays could stretch for weeks due to complex federal requirements.

Environmental organizations are stepping into the breach. Retaaza, a Georgia-based company that normally rescues surplus farm produce to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has launched a mobile market offering discounted fresh food to SNAP recipients. Since 2020, the company has diverted 1.1 million pounds of food from landfills. Founder Kashi Sehgal calls it “an ice cream truck, but for veggies and produce.”

The environmental stakes are significant: Americans wasted $382 billion worth of food in 2023, generating emissions equivalent to 54 million cars. In Georgia alone, food waste produces 8.3 megatonnes of CO2 annually. As food waste organizations nationwide expand their hunger relief efforts, they’re proving that addressing climate change and food insecurity can go hand in hand—even when government safety nets fail.