Proposed cuts to food stamps program could be ‘horrific’ in Hawaiʻi

Advocates for the SNAP program said its benefits ripple well beyond the households that get food stamps—and the impacts of cuts would be widespread.

“Not only does it provide money for people to use to purchase groceries or put food on the table, but it’s a huge economic engine for Hawaiʻi, all of those federal dollars are being spent locally,” said Daniela Spoto, director of food equity at Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice.

“They’re being spent at mom and pop grocery stores,” Spoto said. “They are being spent at corner stores, being spent at supermarkets, being spent at farmers markets. And they actually create jobs.”