Food banks across Utah are facing an unprecedented surge in demand, as economic pressures, federal funding reductions, and SNAP benefit fraud push more families into food insecurity.
Ginette Bot, president and CEO of the Utah Food Bank, highlighted the alarming rise in requests for assistance, surpassing even the peak demand experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Right now, the number of people needing food assistance in Utah is at an all-time high,” Bot stated. “These increases are happening statewide, and families are being hit by financial challenges beyond their control.”
Recent data from the Utah Food Bank reveals a sharp rise in food insecurity, with an estimated 415,000 Utah residents struggling to access enough food in 2024—an increase of 100,000 compared to the previous year. A significant portion of the population, 38%, falls within the A.L.I.C.E. category—households earning above the federal poverty threshold but still unable to afford essential expenses like rent, healthcare, and groceries. Many of these families turn to food banks to help bridge the gap.
“We can only distribute what we receive,” Bot explained. “When the need rises, we must ramp up fundraising efforts and purchase more food to meet demand, all while continuing to provide services at no cost to those in need.”
Exacerbating the situation, a widespread fraud scheme targeting SNAP recipients has left many Utahns without crucial food assistance. With federal reimbursement for stolen benefits ending in December, affected individuals must wait until next month for their benefits to be restored, forcing them to rely more heavily on food pantries and local aid organizations.
“We don’t ask people about their circumstances when they come to us,” Bot noted. “But it’s clear that many are seeking help because they simply don’t have enough money to feed their families.”
Gina Cornia, director of Utahns Against Hunger, expressed deep concern over the impact of SNAP fraud. “This is devastating,” she said. “It is absolutely cruel that low-income families are being targeted and robbed of their food benefits.”
Food pantries across the state, many of which receive supplies from the Utah Food Bank, have reported seeing up to double the number of visitors compared to the same time last year. “Families are under significant economic pressure,” Cornia added.
Adding to the challenge, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a $1 billion cut to food bank and school meal funding, eliminating key programs that supported the purchase of locally sourced food. While the full impact of these cuts has yet to be felt, Bot anticipates they will soon create additional strain on food supply efforts.
“Right now, we haven’t been directly affected because those funds were allocated in advance,” she explained. “However, in the near future, we’re likely to see major shifts in our ability to secure food through these programs.”
Bot urged federal decision-makers to consider the real-life consequences of budget adjustments, emphasizing the importance of understanding who relies on food assistance and how funding reductions will impact them. “There’s a clear need for responsible budgeting, but the way these decisions are being handled suggests a lack of understanding of the people affected,” she said.
In response to the growing crisis, the Utah Food Bank is organizing a statewide food drive on March 15. Community members interested in donating food, funds, or volunteer time can find more information on how to help by visiting the organization’s website .
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