A federal judge on Friday ordered the Department of Agriculture to tap its emergency funds to keep the program feeding millions of Americans afloat amid the government shutdown. U.S. District

Leaders of food pantries in southeast Michigan still expect to see an uptick in visitors, although are hopeful a recent federal ruling will help stymie need. Two federal judges ruled Friday afternoon that the federal government must continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides government assistance to bring food and other necessities to low-income households.

Even if a judge rules the benefits cannot be suspended for the first time in SNAP’s 61-year history, many beneficiaries are likely to face delays in getting the debit cards they use to buy groceries reloaded. That process can take one to two weeks, so it’s likely too late to get funds on cards in the first days of November.

Democrats are working to balance their health care demands and find solutions for SNAP, with Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján on Wednesday introducing legislation that would direct the USDA to release available contingency funds to ensure benefits under SNAP and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program continue during the shutdown.

The Franklin Community Co-op, will be increasing its Food for All program discount to 15% on all purchases, excluding alcohol, to people who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),

With much uncertainty about any potential gaps in SNAP payments, organizations across Western Washington are stepping up to make sure people don't go without fo

The Michigan Senate supports creating a backup fund for SNAP food assistance in the state, but the House has yet to vote.

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, the prospect of November's SNAP benefits going unpaid indefinitely is growing closer.