Oregon Unveils New Plan to Fight Hunger as Food Bank Visits Hit Record Levels
While federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which were disrupted during the federal government shutdown, have been restored, an analysis of the state’s efforts to address the crisis shows hunger and broader food insecurity persist for many Oregonians as record numbers visit food banks.
Governor Tina Kotek announced a roadmap in light of federal policies that threaten food assistance.
Oregon Governor Announces Plan To Achieve Food Security
Governor Kotek announced the outcomes of the 60-day hunger emergency declaration yesterday. She outlined what’s next to continue addressing food insecurity, as many Oregonians are still facing new federal policy changes and benefit theft.
Governor Kotek said, “Hunger and threats to people’s household budgets were amplified by political dysfunction in Washington, D.C.”
Harmful federal policies, including provisions in H.R. 1, continue to put thousands of Oregonians with SNAP benefits at risk. At the same time, there has been an increase in reports of EBT card skimming theft. Combined, this creates ongoing uncertainty for families who rely on food assistance and for the community organizations that serve them.
Source: Oregon Department of Human Services newsroom updates and Oregon Legislature budget documents on EBT chip transition
Dailytidings.com
Governor Kotek made these proposals to the state legislature to protect both access to and integrity in Oregon’s SNAP system:
- Fund the transition to chip-enabled EBT cards to strengthen security against skimming and fraud.
- Legislative investments during the upcoming session to preserve SNAP access in Oregon.
- Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) to advance efficiency efforts to reduce the amount needed for state investments in its budget requests.
Governor Kotek also asked all Oregonians to continue helping their neighbors who are struggling to buy food by donating to and volunteering at food banks.
Oregon Food Bank Sees Record Numbers
The Oregon Food Bank saw a record 2.5 million visits to food assistance sites last year – a 31% increase from the previous year, as 1 in 8 people (including 1 in 6 kids) in Oregon and Southwest Washington are facing food insecurity.
| Metric | Value | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Visits to food assistance sites | About 860,000 | 2019 |
| Visits to food assistance sites | About 1.9 million | 2023 |
| Visits to food assistance sites | 2.5 million | July 2023 to June 2024 |
| Network footprint | 21 regional food banks / 1,200 plus sites | Latest network totals |
| Food distributed | Over 91 million meals worth (nearly 110 million pounds) | Last year reported by OFB Network |
The network of 21 regional Oregon Food Banks partners with more than 1,200 free food markets, pantries, meal sites, and delivery programs to distribute over 91 million meals’ worth of food last year, through mostly shopping-style markets that allow families to select food that matches cultural and dietary needs.