Anti-Hunger Action Center - Montana Food Bank Network

Federal Advocacy

Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) advocates for policy solutions to strengthen public nutrition programs and address underlying causes of hunger. We work to engage food pantries, people experiencing food insecurity, and many other partners to make sure that Montana’s members of Congress hear from the anti-hunger community.

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Our Farm Bill Priorities

Farm Bill is the federal legislation that authorizes numerous programs that relate to food and agriculture. Farm Bill includes a Nutrition title, which covers many important federal nutrition programs, including SNAP and TEFAP. The American Relief Act, 2025, extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (also known as the 2018 Farm Bill) for one year through Sept. 30, 2025.

Recently, the House Agriculture Committee’s new budget reconciliation bill proposes cuts to nutrition and conservation programs while increasing commodity subsidies and sidelining a full five-year farm bill. Changes to nutrition programs like SNAP and TEFAP will be used to offset increase in the farm safety net. Decimating the nutrition title of the farm bill leaves farmers and the families they feed behind. For press releases and updates from the House Agriculture Committee, click here House Committee on Agriculture. For updates and action alerts from MFBN on the farm bill and SNAP cuts, sign up to be an anti-hunger advocate.

SNAP

The food bank system alone is not enough to eliminate hunger. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a key part of helping families, seniors, kids, and community members keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.

SNAP helps over 81,500 Montana residents each month stretch their budgets and access the food they need. SNAP is the nation’s largest and most effective anti-hunger program. With 1 in 8 people, including 1 in 6 children, experiencing food insecurity in Montana, SNAP is essential.

The House Agriculture Committee’s budget reconciliation bill proposal includes roughly $300 billion in cuts to SNAP over the next decade. Some cost-cutting proposals suggest shifting a portion of SNAP costs to the states. Most states —including Montana— do not have the resources to absorb these costs and would be forced to reduce benefits, restrict participation or both! This would worsen food insecurity in communities across the country. We simply cannot afford to lose federal funding for programs that offer vital lifelines to our neighbors.

Congress should:

Not implement cost shifts to states
Not restrain future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, which determines SNAP benefit levels.
Not increase the age work requirement from 54 to 64
Not limit ABAWD exemptions to caregivers of children over 7
Continue the SNAP Nutrition Education Program
Strengthen efforts to support work by removing the time limit on SNAP benefits
Protect tribal sovereignty in SNAP and other federal nutrition programs
End the ban on SNAP for individuals with prior drug felony convictions
Protect and enhance food choice in SNAP

TEFAP

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides US-grown commodity foods through local organizations that serve low-income households. It is the cornerstone of food supply for Montana’s network of food pantries and congregate meal sites, ensuring that these agencies have a consistent source of nutritious, high-quality foods. It is essential to have a reliable and continuous stream of TEFAP foods as well as storage and distribution capacity.

USDA has confirmed that $500 million in TEFAP food purchases announced last year to be funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) have been permanently canceled.

Congress should:

Reauthorize and increase to $500 million/year, adjusted for inflation, for TEFAP food purchases
Reauthorize and increase to $200 million/year for TEFAP storage and distribution
Reauthorize $15 million/year in discretionary funding for TEFAP infrastructure grants
Increase funding for the TEFAP Farm to Food Bank Program

State Advocacy

Montana State Legislature

Montana’s most recent legislative session was a mixed bag for many communities in our state. We are grateful for the many advocates who spoke out to tell lawmakers that Montanans’ dignity, health, and economic security must be reflected in our Legislature and laws.

An unfortunate takeaway from this session is the fact that legislators passed numerous tax cuts that will primarily benefit the wealthiest Montanans, while doing little to support those living on low incomes and threatening the future ability of our state to fund essential public services. However, there is good news! Legislators voted to lift the sunset and continue Medicaid expansion. This is a big win for working families.

MFBN organized advocacy efforts on a bill (House Bill 649) that would have created a Montana Farm to Food Bank grant program. It would have allowed food pantries to buy Montana-grown food at a fair rate from local farmers. Despite strong bipartisan support, the bill ultimately did not pass.

There were many positive outcomes for our communities. The state budget includes funding for Sun Bucks, funding for TANF, and funding to eliminate the reduced-price copayment on school breakfast and lunch. Additionally, our advocacy efforts helped to defeat bills (Senate Bill 354 and House Bill 902) attempting to restrict food choice for SNAP.

During the legislative interim, MFBN will continue to engage with legislators and support improved food and economic security.