While business owners across Michigan are doing their part to help families facing food insecurity, Democratic lawmakers are introducing legislation aimed at feeding families during the crisis

Michigan State House Rep. Betsy Coffia has issued an urgent call to action to prevent a freeze on SNAP food assistance, which is set to begin this Saturday.Cof

With the pending suspension of SNAP benefits, some Lansing residents have concerns around food accessibility. City and state leaders are stepping up to address growing concerns about food insecurity.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called for a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as SNAP,

The federal government shutdown has led to a pause in SNAP. In Michigan, the Fair Food Network is taking steps to ensure families can still put food on the table.

The USDA ordered Michigan and other states to halt payment of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits until further notice, starting Nov. 1. The halt comes amid the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass an appropriations bill that funds the operations of federal agencies and programs.

Even before SNAP benefits paused, pantries within the Greater Lansing Food Banks network were seeing consistent increases in usage.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 22 other state attorneys general in sending a letter on Friday to Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins pressing for answers on the lapse in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits,