Why SNAP Matters for Minnesota
Feeding families. Strengthening communities.
SNAP is Minnesota's most effective tool for addressing hunger and poverty
It helps children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families put food on the table during times of need, while also strengthening local economies across the state.
Cuts to SNAP will send shockwaves through families, grocery stores and farmers. This undermines hunger relief as well as local economies statewide.
Who SNAP reaches in Minnesota
SNAP helps Minnesotans get the food they need, including many who work. In fact, more than 60,000 households receiving SNAP have jobs, showing that even when earning a paycheck, many households still struggle to afford enough food.
In an average month, 440,000 Minnesotans receive SNAP, including:
- 177,000 children
- 70,000 seniors
- 56,000 adults with disabilities
Decreasing SNAP funding puts Minnesotans of all races and ethnicities at serious risk
| Race/Ethnicity | % of SNAP Recipients | Number of People |
| White | 42% | 185,958 |
| Black | 31% | 137,153 |
| Asian | 8% | 36,214 |
| American Indian | 8% | 33,548 |
| Hispanic | 6% | 24,820 |
| Unknown | 5% | 22,307 |
SNAP is vital for rural Minnesota
In Minnesota, 45% of SNAP recipients live outside the metro, reminding us that hunger isn’t only an urban issue.
Rural households experience food insecurity at equal or higher rates than urban areas but often face fewer food access resources. SNAP helps fill that gap. Local grocers, co-ops and farmers markets all benefit from SNAP spending, stimulating local economies.
| Congressional District Number | Total Households | SNAP Participating Households | SNAP Participating Households (%) | Household Poverty Rate |
| 1 | 293,765 | 21,145 | 7.2% | 10.9% |
| 2 | 282,190 | 13,768 | 4.9% | 6.9% |
| 3 | 288,824 | 16,928 | 5.9% | 6.6% |
| 4 | 288,496 | 30,434 | 10.6% | 11.3% |
| 5 | 314,674 | 34,698 | 11% | 13.2% |
| 6 | 281,891 | 19,033 | 6.8% | 7.6% |
| 7 | 303,605 | 30,242 | 10% | 12% |
| 8 | 309,997 | 30,762 | 9.9% | 12.2% |
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP Community Characteristics Dashboard Congressional District Explorer
Economic impact of SNAP in Minnesota
SNAP doesn’t just help families—it fuels Minnesota’s economy.
- Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates up to $1.50 in local economic activity, boosting grocery stores, farmers markets and food retailers across the state.
- Every day, a Minnesotan on SNAP receives $5.46. This is not a luxury, but a lifeline that helps people meet their basic needs.
- In fiscal year 2022–2023, $1.1 billion in SNAP benefits were spent in Minnesota, strengthening local economies and supporting jobs in urban and rural communities.
- More than 3,600 authorized retailers across Minnesota accept SNAP, connecting families to nutritious food while driving business in neighborhoods statewide.