Alaska and Hawaii residents dependent on federal food assistance face mounting hardship as the government shutdown disrupts SNAP benefit distributions in states with the nation's highest grocery costs. Irene Edwards of Anchorage began rationing meals in October after learning her November allotment would be incomplete, while Julia Sativas on Hawaii's Big Island reduced her daily intake to 800 calories when payments stalled.
Both states import most food supplies by barge, with costs running 28 percent above mainland prices in Alaska and 51 percent higher in Hawaii, according to August USDA figures. Honolulu stores charge $9.19 for milk gallons, while Big Island residents pay $8 for potato chip bags and $10 for bread loaves.
Hawaii pledged full November payments through emergency state funding and allocated $2 million to food banks. Alaska is committed to weekly distributions but had not clarified total monthly amounts as of Sunday. More than 40 million Americans nationwide await resolution as lawmakers advance shutdown-ending legislation.
Both states import most food supplies by barge, with costs running 28 percent above mainland prices in Alaska and 51 percent higher in Hawaii, according to August USDA figures. Honolulu stores charge $9.19 for milk gallons, while Big Island residents pay $8 for potato chip bags and $10 for bread loaves.
Hawaii pledged full November payments through emergency state funding and allocated $2 million to food banks. Alaska is committed to weekly distributions but had not clarified total monthly amounts as of Sunday. More than 40 million Americans nationwide await resolution as lawmakers advance shutdown-ending legislation.
