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A resolution supporting the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Social Services, in coordination and partnership between government, non-profits, and philanthropic organizations, to support local food banks in preparation for disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
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WHEREAS, ensuring food security is essential for all residents of Nashville and Davidson County; and
WHEREAS, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) program is a critical source of nutritional assistance for approximately 30,000 households of 60,000 low-income individuals in Davidson County; and
WHEREAS, reports indicate that as the federal government shutdown continues, the State of Tennessee has expressed an unwillingness to use the State’s Reserve for Revenue Fluctuations (“Rainy Day Fund”), which currently holds more than $2 billion in taxpayer funds, to provide supplemental support for SNAP beneficiaries, an effort that is estimated to cost $145 million per month during the interruption of federal benefits; and
WHEREAS, given these circumstances, a prolonged disruption in SNAP benefits would pose serious risks of increased food insecurity, hardship for families, and higher demand on local charitable food assistance providers; and
WHEREAS, local food banks and pantries serve as essential community-based partners in addressing hunger, but many currently operate with limited capacity and resources; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government’s proactive local planning is essential to bolster the capacity of food banks, convene support networks, ensure equitable distribution, and mitigate the impact of any interruption in federal benefits.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby expresses support for the Mayor’s Office as they coordinate and partner with Department of Social Services, local food banks, private businesses, and the philanthropic community in anticipation of possible disruptions in SNAP benefit distribution while maintaining current financial support for existing local programs as much as practicable. Any resulting plan should include communication to the Metropolitan` Council outlining at minimum the following details:
a. The current capacity of food banks and pantries in Davidson County;
b. Identification of additional resources required;
c. Details on how cross-sector partners will collaborate;
d. Communication and outreach strategies that will be deployed to impacted residents, the Metropolitan Council, and the community.
e. How the Metropolitan Council will receive follow-up information on demand, inventory, and outcomes; and
f. Contingency planning for both short-term disruptions and longer-term scenarios.
Section 2. That the Metropolitan Council requests that, if the federal government is still shut down as of November 14, 2025, and SNAP benefits have not resumed, that representatives from the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Social Services attend the November 18, 2025, meeting of the Public Health and Safety Committee to share any updates on their progress meeting the nutrition needs of SNAP recipients, unless otherwise directed by the committee chair.
Section 3. That the Metropolitan Council requests the Mayor’s Office to identify any available unappropriated surplus funds or reallocation options during the duration of the SNAP program’s lapse (or the Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget cycle, depending on the duration of the lapse in benefits.)
Section 4. That the Metropolitan Council encourages the Metropolitan Government to collaborate with the State of Tennessee and federal agencies, where feasible, to seek supplemental funding or policy flexibility to mitigate the impact of any SNAP interruption on Davidson County residents.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.