With a major federal survey discontinued and SNAP benefits facing delays, local communities look for new ways to track and support families in need.
East Lansing, Michigan, 19 November 2025 – After almost thirty years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has ended its long-running Household Food Security Report, a national survey used to understand hunger trends across the country. For a community like East Lansing where many families already feel the pressure of rising food prices, the loss of this information leaves a major gap.
The USDA stated that the report would be discontinued because similar data exists elsewhere. However, public health experts say this survey offered one of the most reliable and consistent measures of food insecurity in the United States. Without it, many fear that communities will have fewer tools to understand who needs help and how to support them.
“Good planning depends on good data,” said Brian Rosso, a dietetics professor at the Arizona College of Nursing. “Without it, it becomes harder to understand how people access food and what support systems are needed.”
Adding to the challenge, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently shared that November SNAP benefits may be delayed or reduced due to a nationwide administrative pause. The USDA is working to restore full benefits, but some states may still face short-term disruptions. For families depending on monthly assistance, even a small delay can create financial stress.
East Lansing, a mix of university students and long-term residents, often experiences a wide divide in income and access to resources. The loss of national food security data and the uncertainty around SNAP benefits will impact both groups.
Local educators and community organizations rely on the former USDA report to understand food insecurity patterns and design programs for at-risk households. Without national numbers, they will need to rely more heavily on local surveys, university-led research, and community partnerships.
“The Household Food Security Report has always helped us understand where support is most needed,” said Sarah Eichburger, a public health nutritionist with MSU Extension. “Without it, programs like SNAP and WIC will have fewer insights to guide future planning.”
Local food pantries are already seeing the strain. Karen Fraser, coordinator of the Okemos Community Church Food Pantry, said demand has grown noticeably this fall.
“About a quarter of the people we served last week were new visitors,” she said. “We’ve expanded our appointment times and added emergency food packs. Our volunteers and donors have been incredibly supportive.”
To help fill the information gap, Michigan State University and MSU Extension are exploring new ways to track food insecurity at the community level. This includes simplified assessment toolkits, research collaborations, local workshops, and events focused on food access, such as the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Summit.
Community leaders continue working to support the 1.4 million Michiganders who use SNAP, hosting listening sessions and local roundtables to better understand current needs.
As East Lansing faces this uncertain moment, its path forward may depend on community-driven data, local creativity, and strong collaboration. By building new tools and strengthening partnerships, the city hopes to continue supporting families who depend on reliable access to healthy food.
