Tashara Leak

Assistant Professor, Division of Nutritional Sciences

Tashara Leak is a registered dietitian and associate professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences who studies ways to increase healthy food access and consumption among populations with low incomes.

Leak says:

“The U.S. is officially losing the war on poverty. The government is shut down because there isn’t agreement that healthcare should be affordable and available to all Americans, and SNAP benefits are being held hostage as a result of this showdown. We are days away from millions of families being without food and I can’t think of anything more un-American.”

Jamila Michener

Assistant Professor of Government

Jamila Michener, associate professor of government, studies poverty, racial inequality and public policy in the United States.

Michener says:

“Severe losses of government benefits have profound repercussions for democracy. People make decisions about whether and how to engage politically based on what they learn through direct experiences with government. When they lose public benefits – especially when those losses are perceived as unfair –Americans learn that their government cannot be relied upon and does not prioritize their needs. So, when benefits are taken away on a mass scale, voter turnout decreases.

“Large scale losses of public benefits affect who shows up to vote, who feels like they matter in American democracy, and ultimately, who has power in our political system. Public benefit losses politically demobilize and demoralize low-income Americans – the very people who already struggle to have voice and influence in politics, and the people who have the most at stake in holding elected officials accountable. This puts all of democracy on shakier ground. No matter which party ‘wins,’ democracy loses.”

Angela Odoms-Young

Associate Professor Division of Nutritional Sciences

Angela Odoms-Young, a professor of maternal and child nutrition, researches health outcomes in low-income populations. She also served on a national committee tasked with revising the food packages for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). She is available for comment if you are interested.

Odoms-Young says:

“In fiscal year 2024, the average SNAP benefit was approximately $187 per person per month, redeemed through a network of more than 250,000 authorized retailers nationwide. The interruption of SNAP benefits would not only jeopardize food access for millions of low-income households but also disrupt local food retail systems, farmers markets, small grocers, and regional economies that depend on SNAP spending. The sudden withdrawal of this purchasing power will likely reverberate throughout local food systems, undermining community resilience and economic stability. It may also place additional strain on the charitable food sector, which is already operating at or beyond capacity to meet existing needs.

“Moreover, the indefinite duration of the federal shutdown complicates program planning and communication efforts among state agencies, while hindering community-based organizations’ capacity to prepare and respond. This pervasive uncertainty undermines both institutional and household resilience, leaving families less able to absorb financial and nutritional shocks.

“Overall, this situation translates into reduced access to nutritious foods essential for maintaining health and well-being. For many families, these benefits are not supplementary, they are vital for meeting basic nutritional needs and ensuring survival.”