Food Access During the Government Shutdown
The ongoing government shutdown—now the longest in U.S. history—has disrupted critical nutrition assistance programs.
For the first time in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) 60-year history, benefits were not issued as scheduled on November 1st, impacting 42 million Americans. Federal action is underway to fund payments, but the timeline for distribution varies by state, and there’s no guarantee of SNAP funding in December if the shutdown continues. Support for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) also remains uncertain.
At The Emily Program, we recognize the serious implications of this crisis for our community. Eating disorders don’t discriminate by income, and many of the people we serve rely on SNAP, WIC, and other programs to meet their basic food needs. We know that sudden changes to food access can be particularly destabilizing for those working hard in eating disorder recovery, on top of the stress and hardship these gaps in benefits bring for everyone affected.
Emergency Resources
If you or someone you know is facing new or worsening food access challenges due to the shutdown, help is available. Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Council has compiled state-by-state emergency food information for the regions we serve (WA, MN, GA, NC, PA, OH), including food banks, emergency meal programs, and state-level assistance.
If you are a current or former client of The Emily Program and food access difficulties are impacting your recovery, please notify your treatment team. We will work with you to adapt your care plan as needed and help connect you to additional support. While we may not have all the answers, we are committed to walking alongside you through this crisis.
Why This Matters for Eating Disorder Recovery
Recovery from an eating disorder depends on consistent, reliable access to food. When meals become unpredictable, it can destabilize hard-won progress and make building a peaceful relationship with food much more difficult.
Research shows food insecurity increases eating disorder risk:
- People experiencing food insecurity are 1.66 to 2.70 times more likely to develop an eating disorder, with the strongest links to binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa.
- When nutrition isn’t guaranteed, it can trigger “feast-or-famine” cycles of restricting during scarcity and bingeing when food is available, reinforcing disordered eating patterns.
For a deeper look at the connections between food insecurity and eating disorders, read our previous blog post here.
How to Help
- Support local food assistance. Make a donation or volunteer at local food banks and pantries to help meet current surges in demand.
- Contact your representatives. Find the contact information for your members of Congress and urge them to protect full funding for SNAP and WIC for the duration of the shutdown
- Spread the word. Share our linked resources with your community to get help to those who need it most.
You Are Not Alone
At The Emily Program, we understand that many factors outside an individual’s control can contribute to eating disorders and complicate recovery. We’re here to help you navigate challenges and find a path to lasting recovery, even in the face of hardship. If you could use support right now, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Call us at 1-888-364-5977 or complete our online form. Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to do this alone.
References:
Abene, Jessica A et al. (2023). Food insecurity and binge eating: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 56(7), 1301-1322. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23956
Lydecker, Janet A, and Carlos M Grilo. (2019). Food insecurity and bulimia nervosa in the United States. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 56(6), 735-739. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23074