Mississippi’s three main food banks distributed 40 million meals across all 82 counties last year, including a record amount of produce, according to food bank leaders. The distribution was part of a new collaborative effort aimed at improving efficiency as federal support declines, said Michael Ledger, CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast.
In 2023, the food banks—feeding the Gulf Coast, Mississippi Food Network, and Mid-South Food Bank—worked together during crises like the recent ice storm, distributing more than 160,000 meals. They also share information and strategize to reach more residents in the state, Ledger said.
Advocates emphasize that increased need coincides with shrinking funds. The recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law last summer, shifts $140 million in costs from the federal government to Mississippi for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program over the next two years. Experts warn this could lead to benefits being cut or eligibility requirements tightening, making it harder for people to access food assistance.
Theresa Lau, senior policy counsel at the Southern Poverty Law Center, said food banks cannot eliminate the impact of federal cuts to SNAP. “SNAP is the most effective anti-hunger program,” she told Mississippi Today. Currently, about 334,000 Mississippians, or one in eight residents, rely on SNAP, including many households with children, the elderly, or disabled adults.
The issue gained national attention during the October government shutdown, which paused food assistance for thousands in Mississippi. Gov. Tate Reeves has prioritized restricting the purchase of sugary foods with benefits, though discussions about food assistance have been limited in the Legislature. The Department of Human Services requested $15 million to cover immediate SNAP costs, but no additional child care funding was sought, despite long waitlists for vouchers.
Meanwhile, a bill to invest in local farms and help food banks distribute fresh foods failed in committee this month. State Rep. Sam Creekmore, who authored the bill, hopes to revive it but is unsure about securing funding. Creekmore emphasized the importance of connecting local produce with those in need, especially in a state heavily dependent on agriculture and facing high poverty rates.
Ledger highlighted existing resources like trucks and warehouses that could support expanded food distribution efforts without new infrastructure. Advocates stress that hunger and poverty are interconnected, as reliable access to food enables better health, employment opportunities, and educational success—benefiting communities statewide.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
