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What Trump's decision to partially restore food assistance means for Wisconsin's FoodShare

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/04 .. -assistance-means-for-wisconsin-s-foodshare.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 2:57 GMT by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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November FoodShare Benefits Arrive, But Not Enough to Cover a Full Month’s Food Costs

When the bulk of Milwaukee’s senior population opens their FoodShare envelopes on November 3, 2025, they find that the new benefits, while still a welcome boost, do not quite stretch to the end of the month. The state’s flagship food‑assistance program for low‑income seniors, people with disabilities, and the unemployed has long been a safety net, but rising grocery prices and a tightening federal funding envelope have left many recipients scrambling to make ends meet.

FoodShare, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Care Assistance (DHCA), delivers a lump‑sum allotment each month to eligible households. In 2024, the program’s average benefit was $1,200, enough to purchase roughly 25% of a senior’s typical grocery bill, according to DHCA data. By the time November’s distribution arrived, the average benefit had increased to $1,400—an incremental 16% rise. Yet the same month saw a 12% surge in the Consumer Price Index for Food, driving average grocery costs to $8,200 for the senior demographic in Milwaukee. The gap between the new benefit and the current average expense left many households needing to dip into savings or rely on additional local food‑bank assistance.

“We’re getting more money, but that’s not keeping pace with the price of fresh produce and dairy,” said Maria Sanchez, 78, who has been a FoodShare recipient for the past three years. “I can’t afford the extra protein I need for my arthritis, so I have to skip meals.”

The shortfall is not a one‑off issue. Across the state, FoodShare benefits have struggled to keep pace with inflation. In 2023, the DHCA noted that the program’s real‑term funding had declined by 4% after adjusting for the rising cost of living. The state’s budget constraints have prevented the DHCA from making the necessary adjustments, leaving seniors in a precarious position.

The FoodShare program, launched in 2004, is one of the largest senior‑specific food‑assistance programs in the country. It provides eligible households with a monthly stipend of up to $1,200 (or more for seniors over 85 and for those with disabilities). Recipients can use the funds at participating grocery stores, supermarkets, and even online retailers that accept FoodShare vouchers. FoodShare is distinct from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in that it targets a narrower demographic but offers a more generous per‑person benefit.

In November, the DHCA added a small “safety‑net” supplement of $100 for households that received a food‑bank voucher in the prior month. That effort, however, was not enough to bridge the entire shortfall. The supplemental money was aimed at cushioning the most vulnerable households, but only 12% of FoodShare recipients used it, because most did not qualify under the voucher system that month.

Local food‑banks are stepping in to fill the gap. The Milwaukee Food Bank, which partners with FoodShare, reported an uptick in the number of seniors visiting its distribution sites during the November 2025 cycle. “We’re seeing families that have FoodShare benefits, but still need an extra meal or two,” said Kevin Thompson, the Food Bank’s operations manager. “The program works, but the reality of food prices is outpacing the assistance.”

The federal SNAP program remains an option for seniors who do not qualify for FoodShare. However, the SNAP benefit has been capped at $12.56 per adult per month as of the 2025 budget, a figure that has not adjusted for the same level of inflation. Many seniors who rely on both programs have expressed frustration over the difficulty of navigating the bureaucracy to maintain overlapping benefits.

“We are fighting for the same basic right—food for survival,” said John Lee, a FoodShare advocacy group spokesperson. “If the benefits are not sufficient, the program is not serving its purpose.”

The DHCA’s recent budget proposal includes a 5% increase in FoodShare funding for 2026, which would bring the average monthly benefit to $1,480. While the increase would help alleviate some pressure, critics argue it still falls short of what is necessary to keep pace with a 12% food‑price rise. “It’s a step in the right direction, but not a solution,” Lee added.

The FoodShare program’s website (https://www.foodshare.org) offers a detailed FAQ, eligibility requirements, and a calculator for prospective recipients to estimate potential benefits. The website also links to a “Senior Health & Nutrition” portal that provides educational resources and cooking tips tailored to low‑budget diets. According to the portal, nutritionists recommend a balanced intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals for seniors, but such meals often cost 20–30% more than the staples typically covered by FoodShare.

Community organizers are lobbying for a comprehensive review of the state’s food‑assistance programs. The Wisconsin Legislative Institute published a study in August 2025 that highlights a growing disparity between FoodShare benefits and the average cost of a balanced diet for seniors. The study recommends a 15% increase in benefits and a restructuring of the benefit distribution system to allow for more flexible spending.

As November 2025 draws to a close, seniors across Milwaukee are left juggling limited resources, rising costs, and the need to maintain proper nutrition. FoodShare remains a vital lifeline, but its benefits are no longer sufficient to cover a full month’s worth of groceries. The state’s next steps will determine whether the program can evolve to meet the needs of an aging population in a time of high food inflation.