Bay Area food banks brace for surge as SNAP suspension nears

Food banks across the Bay Area are preparing for a surge in demand as millions of Americans brace for a suspension of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, a consequence of the ongoing government shutdown. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, hosted a town hall Thursday night in Martinez to address mounting concerns over the shutdown’s growing impact. The congressman expressed little optimism that lawmakers in Washington would reach a deal soon to end the impasse.