Thousands of Kansas children lose food aid, and school lunch could be next. See why
New national data shows that federal legislation last year resulted in thousands of Kansas families losing food assistance benefits.
According to the data — which provides available information from 12 states — more than 21,000 Kansans have lost benefits provided under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (known as SNAP). And that includes more than 10,000 children in the Sunflower State, according to a Thursday news release from Kansas Appleseed, a nonprofit organization that champions food access and other social issues.
“These are not just abstract numbers.,” said Haley Kottler, senior campaign director at Kansas Appleseed, in the release about the impact of the H.R. 1 legislation, referred to by some as “the big, beautiful bill.” “These are Kansas kids losing access to food.”
From the 12 states with data available, the number of children receiving SNAP food assistance has fallen by more than 700,000 since the legislation was enacted in July 2025, according to information from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
In its release, Kansas Appleseed asked Congress “to intervene before federal SNAP cost shifts force Kansas into deeper cuts that put more low-income families and children at risk of hunger. “
“This next wave of harm is not inevitable,” the release said. “It is preventable. “
Losing SNAP benefits could also put other aid — such as free school breakfast and lunch and summer nutrition support — in jeopardy.
Access to school meals in Kansas “depends heavily” on certification systems related to SNAP enrollment, Appleseed’s release said.
“In Kansas, this will mean more children falling through the cracks, more pressure on schools and food banks, and greater hardship for families already struggling with high grocery and housing costs,” Kottler said.
“This has real implications for Kansas children to access the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive.”
