From greenqueen.com.hk
By Anay Mridul
As the government shutdown leaves millions of Americans potentially hungry, Impossible Foods has kickstarted a relief programme for SNAP recipients and those facing food insecurity.
Hunger has been front and centre of American media in recent weeks, starting from the Trump administration’s decision to end the annual food insecurity survey, to the ongoing government shutdown that has left low-income families on food stamps scrambling.
Around 12% of the population, or 41.7 million Americans, rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal initiative that supplements the grocery budgets of food-insecure households to ensure they can afford nutritious food.
The federal shutdown, the longest in US history, was cited by the Trump administration when it said it would not pay benefits at all for November. However, last week, judges ordered the government to use emergency funds to pay at least part of the benefits in two separate rulings.
And on Thursday, a federal judge asked the administration to fully fund SNAP benefits for all recipients by the next day – though the Justice Department said it would appeal the ruling, continuing to delay aid and potentially deepen hunger across the nation.
As food banks now face unprecedented demand, there are plenty of things people can do to provide relief, including hosting food drives, organising funds for neighbours in need, and donating food and money if they’re able.
Many businesses are also taking charge, offering free meals and eliminating delivery charges to anyone who needs them. California-based Impossible Foods, known for its plant-based meat alternatives, is joining that list with a coupon relief programme and an initiative to mobilise donations.
A coupon programme and partnership with an anti-hunger charity
Impossible Foods’s nationwide initiative is geared towards Americans facing food insecurity, including those impacted by the uncertainty around SNAP benefits. It’s offering two coupons per household, each redeemable for a free product up to $10 in value at eligible grocery stores.
The initiative began on November 5 and will run through November 30 (or until coupon supplies last). Eligible participants can submit a form on the company’s website, which is limited to one per household.
People don’t need to provide government documentation or proof of SNAP enrolment, but they’re asked to confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements, that their household has been impacted by the pause in SNAP benefits, or that they’re otherwise experiencing food insecurity.
In addition to the coupon programme, Impossible Foods has teamed up with anti-hunger charity Feed the Children to provide plant-based protein to 100,000 Americans affected by hunger.
“We’re continuing to work with our network of restaurants, grocery stores, and non-profit organisations to make additional food donations. We’re grateful to work with such amazing partners who are quick to mobilise in times of need,” Impossible Foods CEO Peter McGuinness said in a blog post.
“Food insecurity – and the stress and anxiety that come with it – is a burden that no one should have to live with, especially in 2025. This hits close to home for us at Impossible Foods,” he explained.
“It’s a challenge bigger than one company, but as a business that exists to feed people, we recognise that we’re in a unique position to give back and play a small part in helping put nourishing food on the table.”
‘Food has the power to bring people together,’ says Impossible Foods CEO
SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program, has been credited by researchers as being “successful in reducing food insecurity”. And with hunger sharply increasing after years of gradual decline – thanks to inflation and the end of pandemic aid initiatives – food stamps are becoming more significant than ever.
Food banks have continued to witness more visits nationwide, with reports suggesting that this is the case even as immigrants are staying away out of concerns that their information could be shared or the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may detain them.
The Republican government’s controversial budget bill, passed in July, had already cut SNAP funding by around 20%, totalling $187B through to 2034, the largest reductions in the programme’s history. This is estimated to affect four million Americans (or over 10% of those enrolled in the initiative), who will lose some or all of the aid.
It comes as climate change pushes grocery prices to unprecedented highs, with some commodities – like beef and eggs – recording never-before-seen prices. As plant-based proteins go, beef alternatives were closest to their conventional counterparts on the price front last year, so there’s an opportunity for vegan producers to fill this gap.
“Everyone deserves access to delicious and nutritious food, plain and simple,” said McGuinness. “We know this isn’t a perfect solution – it’s about doing what we can, where we can, to help people access the kind of food they deserve. If we can help relieve any amount of pressure during an already high-stress time for so many families, that’s reason enough to act.”
He added: “Food has the power to bring people together. We hope we can provide some comfort during these challenging times.”
https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/impossible-foods-free-plant-based-meat-snap-food-stamps-insecurity/
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