Serving Queen Anne & Magnolia Since 1919 www.QueenAnneNews.com
NOVEMBER 5, 2025
VOL. 106, NO. 45
Washington State Boosts Food Bank Support as Federal SNAP Cuts Loom Staff Report
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LOCAL FOOD BANKS BRACE FOR DISRUPTION In response, the state’s emergency funding will be distributed through the Washington State Department of Agriculture and partner networks to more than 350 food justice organizations and dozens of regional pantries statewide.
“This bridge funding means we can keep our shelves stocked, keep mobile pantry stops running, and avoid closing an extra day,” said a Pierce County food-bank director. “But this isn’t normal. We’re preparing for more people, less federal food, and tighter budgets.” Children account for about 34 percent of SNAP recipients in the state; seniors roughly 22 percent. The cuts are expected to ripple
outward — less benefit means fewer dollars circulating in local grocery stores, estimated at about $252 million annually in lost consumer spending.
a “double blow.” For many working families, fixed-income seniors, and rural households, the change isn’t gradual — it’s immediate. Advocates argue the state’s new funding is vital but only a temporary fix. “We can’t absorb both increased demand and reduced resources,” the organization warns.
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW With everyday costs already high — groceries, rent, utilities — the dual pressure of fewer federal benefits and fewer donated commodities presents food banks with
NORTHWEST HARVEST
ew state funds prepare for sharp rise in demand amid ongoing program reductions As federal food-aid funding faces deep cuts, Washington state is stepping in with an emergency measure to siphon roughly $2.2 million per week into local food banks and hunger-relief networks. The move comes as the Northwest Harvest and its partners report rising needs and shrinking resources for the state’s food assistance system. According to Northwest Harvest’s analysis, nearly 1 million Washington residents rely on SNAP benefits today. Under recently passed federal legislation, the organization projects up to 130,000 Washingtonians could lose SNAP entirely and all remaining recipients may see reductions. Meanwhile, reductions in federal commodity food programs — an estimated 20 million fewer pounds statewide — threaten to reduce available food in emergency networks by 10-15 percent. “These cuts will push more Washington individuals and families into hunger while
simultaneously reducing the resources available to help them.”
HOW RESIDENTS CAN HELP • Visit northwestharvest.org to find a local food-bank partner or mobile pantry. • Donate funds or food items to trusted pantries — with fewer federal commodities, purchasing power matters. • Volunteer or organize a drive; many networks anticipate needing more hands and more storage. • Encourage state and federal representatives to support policies that stabilize hunger-relief programs. By proactively rerouting emergency state dollars, Washington is positioning itself ahead of what experts warn could become a widespread wave of food insecurity. But the longer-term challenge remains: building sustainable systems to handle both rising demand and declining federal support.
Seattle Hmong New Year Brings ‘A Mistake and a Disservice to Color, Culture, and Community Farmers’: Top USDA Official in WA to Seattle Center Fired with No Explanation Staff Report
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elebrate the close of the harvest season and the spirit of renewal at Seattle Hmong New Year on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and again from 7–10 p.m. for an evening concert at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall. This free, family-friendly celebration— part of the Seattle Center Festál cultural series—offers a vibrant day of food, music, art, and dance that honors Hmong heritage and traditions. The event marks one of the most
important holidays in Hmong culture: a time to give thanks to ancestors, honor elders, and welcome a fresh start for the year ahead. “Our festival is special and unique, in the sense that we are the only Southeast Asian minority that is a part of Seattle Center and Festál,” said Asia P Lor, vice president of the Hmong Association of Washington and event co-producer. “This is the one day where everyone in the community gets to wear their
traditional Hmong outfit, gather together, and celebrate.” Festival highlights include the Fashion of the Hmong Diaspora show, featuring intricate textiles and designs that reflect generations of artistry and migration stories. Guests can explore an extensive Hmong heritage exhibit curated with the Burke Museum, enjoy traditional dances and songs by local performers, and participate in Pov Pob, the traditional ball-tossing courtship ritual. Children’s activities, a merchant marketplace filled with arts, crafts, embroidery, and clothing, and a wide variety of traditional foods will fill the Armory with color and energy throughout the day. The evening concert will feature national performers, offering a lively conclusion to the celebration. “The Seattle Hmong New Year Festival shines a light on one of the many rich cultures that make Seattle vibrant,” said Heidi Jackson, managing artistic director of cultural programs at Seattle Center. “We’re honored this event has been a part of the Festál series since 1997.” Seattle Hmong New Year is one of 25 annual cultural festivals presented by Seattle Center’s Festál program, which highlights the region’s diversity and fosters greater understanding among communities. For more information, visit seattlecenter.com or hmongofwa.org. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SEATTLE, WA PERMIT 1271
By Orion Donovan Smith The Spokesman-Review
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he top U.S. Department of Agriculture official in Washington state responsible for farm loans, disaster assistance and conservation programs was suddenly fired on Wednesday without explanation, according to multiple farmers who spoke with him. Jon Wyss had served as Washington state executive director of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency since May, when he was appointed for a third stint after serving in both the first Trump administration and the Biden administration in the same role. The FSA’s Spokane Valley office administers programs the state’s farmers and ranchers rely on during times of uncertainty, such as the recent fluctuations in commodity prices related to the Trump administration’s trade policies. Rep. Dan Newhouse, a Sunnyside farmer and Republican who represents central Washington, said in a statement that he had voiced his concerns to the USDA and the White House, calling Wyss “a true advocate for farmers in Washington state.” “His experience, relationships with producers, and firsthand understanding of the challenges in farm country give producers an ally in the federal government,” said Newhouse, a member of the House Agriculture Committee. “Jon’s firing is a mistake and a disservice to farmers who need a strong leader at the Farm Service Agency, especially now, when times are tough.” The USDA did not immediately respond to questions about Wyss’ firing. When reached by email, Wyss declined to comment.
Michelle Hennings, executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, said Wyss has won the support of many growers for his “unwavering, farmerfirst mentality” and said his firing “increases uncertainty for farmers in some of the most challenging conditions we’ve seen in a generation.”
Former USDA official Jon Wyss “We support Jon, and this is very bad news for Washington state agriculture,” Hennings said. “This was his third appointment. Wheat growers were extremely happy with him.” Andy Juris, who grows wheat in Klickitat County, said Wyss called him Wednesday afternoon to say he had been asked to clean out his desk, with no warning or explanation. Juris said Wyss had been a reliable partner to farmers, citing the USDA official’s work to fix the Conservation Reserve
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