Minnesota Children’s Defense Fund shifts focus to food insecurity in wake of no November SNAP benefits

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - The Children’s Defense Fund collects this data to address the specific needs of children across the state and country. They look into health, education, safety and security of children.

The data they collect is used to advocate for children-specific policies and laws.

Policy Director Alexandra Fitzsimmons says their focus has turned to food insecurity of children.

From 2021 to 2023 148,000 children were food insecure according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

This topic is especially timely with SNAP benefits unlikely to come in November.

Fitzsimmons said, “We’re really concerned about what not having access [to food assistance programs] will mean for our youngest children, our moms who are pregnant or who are nursing and our children who rely on these programs for food.”

Fitzsimmons encourages those who care about the need for food assistance programs to reach out to their local legislators.

You can find who your local legislators are at www.gis.lcc.mn.gov/iMaps/districts/ .

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