Food banks prepare for increased need as SNAP requirements change

Stricter eligibility rules and purchase limits are expected to impact households across the region.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As of February 1, new requirements for SNAP recipients are ni effect, including changes tied to age, work hours and food purchase restrictions.

With those changes in place, local food banks expect an increase in demand.

Part of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act signed into law in July 2025 changed SNAP eligibility requirements, including stricter work rules for able-bodied adults ages 18 to 64 without dependents. The law requires adults to work or train at least 80 hours per month to receive benefits beyond three months in a three-year period. The legislation also includes waivers restricting SNAP purchases of soda, candy and sugary drinks.

Veterans and people experiencing homelessness could also face stricter requirements. Middle Georgia Community Food Bank President and CEO Kathy McCollum says the organization has been preparing for an increase in foot traffic.

“We are here to help our neighbors in any situation they find themselves in; rather it is a change in snap requirements that have adjusted the benefits that they receive, or a personal crisis in a family,” McCollum said. “We have a network of over 200 partner agencies in our 24-county service area, that get food from us and then they distribute it in their communities.”

McCollum expects more visitors in the coming months, but she says rising food insecurity is something the organization has already been seeing.

“When we received the 2025 report, it showed a 10% increase in the number of people who were food insecure in our area; that was on top of a 25% increase that we saw back in 2024,” she said.

With uncertainty surrounding future funding, McCollum says the food bank is focused on meeting the community’s needs.

“And we don’t really know what’s on the horizon because there are a lot of unknowns, as costs shift from federal funding to state funding. So, were doing our best to make sure our community is well served,” she said.

She also thanked partner organizations and donors for helping keep food available.

“We had a lot of donors who had given back during Covid that stepped up and provided more funds for us,” she said. “We had companies, foundations, different organizations and individuals who sent us money. And that is the best way for the community to help us do our work, to help people that face food insecurity.”

Anyone in need of food assistance can visit the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank at mgcfb.org.