Tribal Nations Face Food Insecurity as Federal Nutrition Programs Face Potential Shutdown

Strategic Insights -

Tribal communities are bracing for food insecurity as the shutdown of federal nutrition programs looms. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves 42 million people, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which serves nearly 7 million people, are at risk of running out of funds. This will disproportionately affect American Indian and Alaska Native communities, who already face significant food insecurity challenges.

Harris, secretary of the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc., testified before the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee that tribal nations are scrambling to fill the anticipated gaps in food security and assistance. She cited an example of her nonprofit's president, Penobscot Indian Nation Chief Kirk Francis, who reallocated $200,000 to bridge the nutrition funding gap for November alone. Harris emphasized that this includes asking tribal hunters to donate loose meat so that elders can be fed. The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that food insecurity among American Indian and Alaska Native households is significantly greater than for all U.S. households.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) face potential shutdown due to lack of funding.
  • Tribal communities, particularly American Indian and Alaska Native households, are at high risk of food insecurity, with food insecurity rates significantly higher than the national average.
  • Tribal nations are scrambling to fill the funding gap, with some allocating their own resources to provide basic human needs, such as food.
  • Sarah Harris, secretary of the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc., testified before the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, emphasizing the urgent need for federal funding to support nutrition programs.
  • Chief Kirk Francis, president of the Penobscot Indian Nation, reallocated $200,000 to bridge the nutrition funding gap for November alone, including asking tribal hunters to donate loose meat for elders.
  • The U.S. Government Accountability Office reported that food insecurity among American Indian and Alaska Native households is "significantly greater than for all U.S. households."
  • Senators from Alaska, Minnesota, and Nevada highlighted the consequences of funding for nutrition programs running out for Native communities in their states.
  • Tribal nations are turning to traditional practices, such as hunting elk, to feed their members after losing access to essential food support.

Statistics:

  • 42 million people rely on SNAP, which is facing potential shutdown due to lack of funding.
  • WIC serves nearly 7 million people and offers "free healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to other services."
  • The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that food insecurity among American Indian and Alaska Native households is significantly greater than for all U.S. households.
  • $200,000 was reallocated by the Penobscot Indian Nation to bridge the nutrition funding gap for November alone.
  • 49,339 people participated in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) in fiscal 2023.
  • 200 families living in the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada would lose access to essential food support if WIC funding runs out.

Sources:

  • [https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106218](https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106218) - 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office
  • [https://www.fns.usda.gov/fdpir/food-distribution-program-indian-reservations](https://www.fns.usda.gov/fdpir/food-distribution-program-indian-reservations) - USDA's Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
  • [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda-wont-shuffle-funds-extend-snap-during-shutdown-about-face-earlier-plan](https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda-wont-shuffle-funds-extend-snap-during-shutdown-about-face-earlier-plan) - USDA's plan to use contingency funds during shutdown
  • [https://www.nwica.org/press-releases/national-wic-association-urges-additional-funding-to-prevent-disruption-in-wic-on-november-1](https://www.nwica.org/press-releases/national-wic-association-urges-additional-funding-to-prevent-disruption-in-wic-on-november-1) - National WIC Association's call for additional funding
  • [https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/29/oregon-gov-kotek-sends-5-million-to-food-banks-ahead-of-snap-cutoff/](https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/29/oregon-gov-kotek-sends-5-million-to-food-banks-ahead-of-snap-cutoff/) - Oregon Governor Kotek's funding for food banks
  • [https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/28/alaskas-federal-delegation-leaves-constituents-in-the-cold/](https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/28/alaskas-federal-delegation-leaves-constituents-in-the-cold/) - Alaska Beacon coverage of federal delegation's response
  • [https://democracyforward.org/updates/snap-statements/](https://democracyforward.org/updates/snap-statements/) - Democrats' calls for action on SNAP