SNAP

Ann Arbor State Representative Jason Morgan says he’s happy to see a budget deal has been agreed to but still needs to see the details before giving his final approval. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

The Michigan House voted to add photos and signatures to food and cash assistance cards on Wednesday. Colin Jackson has more.

Michigan is part of a of a group of states suing the Trump administration to block access to confidential information the state has on people who use federal food assistance. We have more from Rick Pluta.

The Washtenaw County Food Policy Council says its funding appears to be in decent shape for the coming year, but there are concerns on how cuts out of Washington will affect the community. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Michigan 6th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell says passage of the Republicans’ reconciliation of President Trump’s "big, beautiful bill" is dangerous and will have detrimental effects across Michigan. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Federal cuts to the USDA are increasing food insecurity throughout the country and right here in Washtenaw County. Local food banks are already feeling the pinch, and those they serve in the community are growing more anxious. WEMU's David Fair talked with Ann Arbor-based Food Gatherers President and CEO Eileen Spring about efforts to offset the cuts and maintain service levels.

A national partner of Food Gatherers, Feeding America, has released new data showing the number of people facing food insecurity in Washtenaw County has risen. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

The city of Ann Arbor’s $564 million budget for fiscal 2024 Fiscal Year passed at Monday night’s city council meeting. As WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports, the newly approved spending plan includes some amendments.

When the pandemic hit and we shut down, those living paycheck-to-paycheck suddenly faced the prospect of going hungry. But federal money was dedicated to providing a safety net. Many of those additional benefits have now ended, and not everyone is back to work and on their financial feet. So what now? Locally, an emergency food fund was established, and that program will continue as benefits for the SNAP assistance program drop. Markell Miller is director of Community Food Programs at Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor. She joined WEMU's David Fair to share the ongoing efforts to keep people fed.

The additional federal money that was sent to Michiganders who received SNAP benefits during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is ending. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.