What Happens When SNAP Benefits Are Cut? New Research from Virginia Offers Important Insights

A new peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior examines what happened when emergency SNAP allotments ended in March 2023. For many Virginia households, that change meant an abrupt and significant drop in monthly food benefits.

The study draws from the experiences of families who use Virginia Fresh Match (VFM), a statewide nutrition incentive program that helps SNAP participants purchase fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, mobile markets, and community food stores. Researchers looked at what benefit reductions meant in practice: changes in food security, shifts in shopping habits, and differences in fruit and vegetable intake. Read the full study here, or continue reading for a high-level overview of findings. 

Produce at Jon Henry General Store in New Market, VA

SNAP Benefit Cuts Were Widespread: The study found that the majority of households surveyed had reductions in SNAP benefits: 

• 80.5% of participants reported losing SNAP benefits after March 2023

• 40.3% experienced cuts of more than $100 per month

These reductions occurred while food prices remained elevated and household budgets were already strained.

When SNAP was Reduced, Food Insecurity Increased: As SNAP benefits declined, food insecurity rose sharply:

• 66.5% of respondents were classified as food insecure

  
  

• 25.2% experienced very low food security, meaning food intake was frequently reduced

  
  

Households that experienced benefit reductions were significantly more likely to be food insecure (71%) than food secure (29%).

Families Faced Major Barriers to Buying Food and Fresh Produce: Participants reported substantial changes in their ability to shop for food.

• 84.9% said it became much harder to buy enough food

• 88.0% said it became much harder to purchase fruits and vegetables

• 74.5% shopped less often

• 76.5% changed where they shopped

• 85.2% changed how they shopped

  
  

When household resources are diminished, families change where they shop and what they purchase.

Fruits and vegetables often become unaffordable when families budgets tighten in response to SNAP cuts.

A Key Finding: Fruit and Vegetable Intake Did Not Decline Among VFM Users: While intake remained below recommended levels, it was higher than national averages and higher than intake reported in some other nutrition incentive program studies.

• Average fruit and vegetable intake remained about 3.2–3.3 servings per day

• Intake did not differ between food-secure and food-insecure households

• Intake did not differ between households with and without SNAP benefit reductions

• Even households experiencing cuts greater than $100 per month maintained similar intake levels

Despite significant SNAP benefit reductions and rising food insecurity, fruit and vegetable intake among VFM participants did not significantly decrease.

The Role of Virginia Fresh Match: The study suggests that nutrition incentive programs like Virginia Fresh Match may serve as a protective measure against the effects of SNAP benefit reductions.

• 94.2% of participants used all available VFM incentives

• 96.8% said VFM helped increase fruit and vegetable intake in their household

The authors note that families may have prioritized spending SNAP benefits at VFM outlets to stretch limited resources and maintain access to fresh food during a period of financial stress.

Key Takeaways:

• SNAP benefit reductions are associated with increased food insecurity

• After SNAP cuts, families face greater difficulty purchasing enough food and fresh produce

• Nutrition incentive programs help protect access to fruits and vegetables and serve as a buffer from increased food insecurity when benefits decline

  
  

These findings provide important insight into how policy changes affect families’ food access in real-world settings.