Kentucky Legislature Falls Short on Hunger Crisis, Advocates Say

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The General Assembly concluded its 2026 session having largely sidestepped an opportunity to address a deepening hunger crisis in the commonwealth, according to Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. While lawmakers secured funding to maintain the state's primary anti-hunger tool, the session failed to expand food assistance programs or fully fund senior meals.

Rising hunger and worsening food insecurity are colliding with Kentucky's struggling economy. More than 753,000 Kentuckians, including over 213,000 children, struggle with hunger, with 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 5 children lacking consistent access to enough food. The crisis intensified after Congress passed federal cuts that reduced the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, leaving 63,000 fewer Kentuckians receiving food assistance.

The General Assembly did take one meaningful step: allocating $43.5 million in fiscal 2027 and $58 million in 2028 to cover increased state administrative costs for SNAP required by federal legislation. However, lawmakers declined to include funding that may be necessary in 2028 to cover SNAP benefit costs, gambling that Kentucky's payment error rate will remain low enough to exempt the state from additional expenses.

At the same time, the budget slashed funding for senior meals by $22 million over the biennium compared to the governor's budget. Fully funding the senior meals program with no waitlist would cost approximately $18 million over the two-year period.

The General Assembly also rejected two bills that would have further tightened food assistance eligibility. Senate Bill 257 would have reinstated asset tests and created new paperwork burdens for SNAP applicants. Senate Bill 265 would have restricted what people can purchase with benefits, a move that would contribute to rising grocery prices for all Kentuckians.

Four bills designed to expand food assistance protections failed to advance. One would have protected veterans from expanded work reporting requirements, another would ensure SNAP benefits continue during federal shutdowns, and a third would have directed the Department of Education to study expanding free school meals.

The General Assembly did establish two working groups to examine food security issues in the interim, including efforts to improve the SNAP Employment and Training Program. Advocates stressed that Kentucky must expand access to all anti-hunger tools to ensure all residents can afford to eat.