Advocates are sounding the alarm that food insecurity in Oregon is on the rise, as highlighted in a recent report by Julian McElhaney and Mark Edwards from Oregon State University’s Policy Analysis Lab.  The report shares that 65,000 more Oregonians are facing food insecurity than three years ago.

“This report makes it clear – our fight to protect food security is more critical than ever,” said Sarah Weber-Ogden, Co-Executive Director of Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon. Weber-Ogden is visiting Washington D.C. this week to meet with federal lawmakers and urge them to support vital food assistance benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

According to the report, food insecurity affects 12.8% of households in Oregon – approximately 530,000 Oregonians. Pandemic-driven economic challenges, coupled with rising costs, continue to impact Oregonians’ access to basic necessities.

The report arrives amid new federal threats to critical food assistance programs, as proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emerge in drafts of the Farm Bill. Led by House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson and Representative Dusty Johnson, these cuts could reduce future adjustments to SNAP benefits by $30 billion over the  -next decade. Such reductions would significantly impact Oregon families, as the proposed cost-neutral model for the Thrifty Food Plan would diminish SNAP recipients’ purchasing power at a time when food prices are climbing.

The change in congressional leadership intensifies concerns, as new policies could endanger access to essential safety net programs. 

“I urge our lawmakers to stand strong alongside us. The Thrifty Food Plan isn’t just a calculation—it’s a lifeline,” said Weber-Ogden. “Slashing SNAP support means thousands of Oregon families will face even greater hardships.”

Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon penned a letter signed by more than 40 organizations, including the Oregon Food Bank and three Oregon state legislators, urging the Oregon congressional delegation to defend SNAP and oppose any reduction to its funding.