Court Blocks SNAP Cuts, Saving Food Aid for Millions Amid Shutdown

ATLANTA, Ga. (our website) - Two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration must continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, during the ongoing government shutdown.

The decision spares millions of families across the country from losing benefits this weekend. But in Georgia, advocates say it could take weeks before those funds appear on recipients' EBT cards, leaving many families still uncertain about how they will afford groceries.

From backyard gardens in Atlanta to farms across the state, growers say the stop-and-start nature of SNAP funding makes it harder for them to plan ahead - and for families to count on access to fresh, healthy food.

In Mableton, backyard farmer Elisha Williams said the delay is already being felt in her community. Fresh greens, lettuce, and herbs fill her small garden, which she calls the Cardboard Garden Urban Farm.

"It is a big deal, It's not a small thing that people's access to food is changing," said Williams.

Williams was recently contacted by Everybody Eats Together, a group that runs a free food cart outside Agnes Jones Elementary School in Atlanta. By the time classes end for the day, children can stop by the cart, grab a snack, and take home fresh vegetables for the weekend.

"I hope it's just encouragement that your community cares," Williams said.

Founder Shawn DeAngelo Walton is looking to partner with more farmers to bring a variety to the stand. He said even with Friday's court rulings, many families are still bracing for empty grocery budgets.

"I'm not sure how long these collard greens are going to last," Walton said. "You might want to make sure you grab some."

According to the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, more than 1.4 million Georgians rely on SNAP benefits, including about 640,000 children. The program injects roughly $3 billion into Georgia's economy each year, supporting more than 2,300 grocery stores and farmers markets.

Without consistent funding, advocates warn that small towns and rural communities could be hit the hardest.

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