America Faces Its Worst Hunger Crisis Since the Great Depression

Devisadaria Duchine-Khauli

27 October 2025

The Food Crisis

On 1 November 2025, the United States will face its worst hunger catastrophe since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The crisis was triggered by a massive federal government shutdown. During the shutdown approximately 750,000 federal employees were furloughed, with an additional threat of their jobs being terminated by Donald Trump.

Most devastating of all, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, will be halted. For the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP to eat, which is about one in eight people nationwide, this is not just a political stalemate; it is a life-or-death emergency. In rural areas such as Kentucky, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Mississippi, one in six depend on SNAP. Children are among the most vulnerable and hardest hit, with one in four receiving food through SNAP and related programs such as WIC (Women Infants, and Children, which is a supplemental food program).

Despite the mounting human toll, political blame is being tossed around. Republicans are accusing Democrats of failing to cooperate although Republicans currently control all three branches of government; legislative, executive, and judicial. The result is a paralysis of leadership, leaving millions of working families, seniors, and veterans in desperate need.

On 16 October 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), under the leadership of Brooke Rollins, issued the following statement to the American people:

"Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance,"

There is no evidence to support this assertion. Fact-checking organizations and official records indicate that Democrats’ demands have focused on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, citing without them millions of Americans face large premium hikes.

They are also demanding a reversal of recent cuts to Medicaid, and restoration of funding for public media and other domestic programs.

From the Democrats’ perspective, signing a so-called “clean” stopgap (i.e., funding without these provisions) would amount to giving Republicans a free pass to dismantle key social-safety-net protections. Meanwhile, Republicans argue funding should be restored first, and policy discussions (including health care) can come afterward.

On 17 October 2025, the Democrats asked that funds for the SNAP program be released via the USDA's contingency fund, while adding that the contingency fund was available "precisely for this reason."

The USDA fired back by stating:

...the contingency fund is a source of funds for contingencies, such as the Disaster SNAP program, which provides food purchasing benefits for individuals in disaster areas, including natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, that can come on quickly and without notice."

Now in its fourth week, the shutdown has reached a dangerous tipping point. Federal employees are being forced to work without pay, making this the first full month without paychecks for approximately 750,000 Americans. These furloughed employees, along with others that once lived paycheck to paycheck are now lining up at food banks, many for the first time. Local food pantries across the nation are reporting record demand, struggling to fill shelves that are emptying faster than ever before.

The ripple effects are spreading rapidly. Without SNAP, approximately $9 billion a month disappears from the economy. Grocery stores, especially in low-income and rural areas depend heavily on SNAP purchases. As those funds vanish, some stores are laying off workers or closing altogether. Supply chains are breaking down because trucking companies and distributors can’t afford to operate without steady demand or payment.

Grocery prices are climbing sharply due to reduced supply and transportation delays, and economists warn that the inflationary impact could extend far beyond the food industry. Prior to the shutdown, the USDA had rescinded $500,000 in funding designated for food bank support programs. When families can’t afford groceries, they cut back on everything else: gas, rent, clothing, school supplies, and health care. Communities already struggling with poverty are being pushed further into desperation.

Experts warn of a potential spike in theft and crime as hunger and hopelessness deepen. Food banks, churches, and nonprofits are sounding the alarm, saying the need has never been greater and they are running out of resources to respond.

The Ballroom and Tens of Billions in Foreign Funding

On 20 October 2025, demolition work began on the East Wing of the White House without official approval. The East Wing, which is part of the White House complex, has traditionally served as the offices of the First Lady and her staff.

Initially announced at a cost of $200 million, the construction of the ballroom is estimated to cost $300 million as of October, with the cost reported to be met by Trump and private donors.

The U.S. has signed a $20 billion economic stabilization agreement with Argentina, with another $20 billion potentially coming from private sources, making the total package up to $40 billion. This aid is supposedly intended to stabilize Argentina's economy, prevent a collapse of its currency, and support President Javier Milei's administration, although Argentina is still at risk of a financial collapse.

To fund the SNAP program until the beginning of the year will cost $16 Billion. That's a small sum in comparison to the $40 billion bail out to Argentina

Both of the longest Government Shutdowns are as a result of Trump's Demands

The current shutdown is the longest since the 35-day standoff from 22 December 2018, to 25 January 2019, which stemmed from a political battle over then president, Donald Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion to fund a U.S.–Mexico border wall. During that shutdown, then Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue was forced to release SNAP benefits early to keep families from starving. Even so, about 15 million households risked running out of funds by late February 2019.

This time, there has been no such lifeline. The federal government has failed to safeguard the nation’s most vulnerable citizens, and the consequences could be catastrophic.

As the hunger crisis worsens, Americans are reminded of a painful truth: political gamesmanship has real human costs. Without swift action to reopen the government and restore aid, millions of people, including children, veterans, and the working poor will go hungry in one of the wealthiest nations on Earth.

History may judge this as the moment America failed its people not because it lacked food, but because it lacked compassion and leadership.