SNAP is a lifeline for our families

Tiffanie Miller, Deputy Director for Employment and Economic Assistance, Dakota County

In Dakota County, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is vital in helping families meet their most basic need: food. Tiffanie Miller, Deputy Director of Employment and Economic Assistance, has seen firsthand the difference the program makes. 

“SNAP is a lifeline for our families,” Miller said. “These are not abstract numbers. These numbers do reflect real meals on tables and real relief for families that are in need.” 

In 2023, Dakota County issued $39 million in SNAP benefits, directly supporting 229,512 individuals, 39% of whom were children. These dollars put food on the table while circulating back into the local economy. 

Since the pandemic, the need for food assistance has grown dramatically. 

“Before the pandemic, SNAP was vital, but it was even more so now. Since 2019, our annual spending has increased by 53%,” Miller said. “More families need support and help when it comes to food assistance.” 

Despite increased investment, barriers remain. Current income limits mean many struggling households are left out. 

“Even with the benefits that we have, we still can't serve the families that need it,” she said. “Our eligibility criteria don't even serve everybody who needs that help. By cutting it, it's making the situation much, much, much worse.” 

Miller stressed that food security affects every part of a person’s life. 

“If you don't have nutritious food, that impacts your health — your mental health and your physical health — and that impacts your ability to do the things that you need to do in order to take care of yourself.”