Local food assistance efforts continue in Cook County amid national SNAP legal battle, longest federal shutdown in history
Nov 10, 2025 11:41AM ● By Content Editor
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - November 10, 2025
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food assistance benefits are currently experiencing a changing legal status amid the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, as reported by The Associated Press (AP). Initially, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a notice stating that the "well has run dry" and that "there will be no benefits issued November 1," due to the Trump administration saying it would not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the program flowing into November.
After initial court challenges, two federal judges ruled the administration could not skip November's benefits entirely, and the Trump administration had agreed to use an emergency reserve fund to provide 65% of the maximum monthly benefit, according to the AP. However, a Rhode Island-based U.S. District Judge, John J. McConnell, ruled that this was insufficient and ordered full funding for SNAP benefits by Friday, November 7. Over the weekend, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily paused this ruling, which had led to the release of funds in several states, including Minnesota.
As a result, the Trump administration demanded that states "must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025," according to the AP.
Today, it was announced that a federal court in Massachusetts temporarily blocked the Trump Administration's demand that states "undo" the release of full November SNAP benefits. Responding to a motion co-led by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani issued a "stay" (temporarily stops or suspends a specific legal proceeding or action) against the November 8 directive. The court found "good cause" for the intervention, protecting the benefits for approximately 440,000 Minnesotans and millions nationwide, and scheduled a further hearing for today.
In Cook County, Minnesota, the threat of a total lapse in funding for the 136 households (or 213 persons) receiving SNAP or other food assistance prompted many local businesses and organizations to provide food options. Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) department established a self-serve food drive at the Cook County Courthouse. Several local businesses have stepped forward with assistance, including the Gun Flint Tavern, The Fisherman's Daughter, Johnson's Foods, Clearwater General Store, the Cook County Co-op, and Java Moose. Learn more about each offering here.
Additionally, the Cook County Pet Food Pantry has opened earlier than anticipated to ensure that households and their animals have the necessary food and supplies during the shutdown. The Fisherman's Daughter and Java Moose are offering grocery gift cards to anyone who reaches out.
For more food-related resources in Cook County and Grand Portage, residents can visit: https://agingwellresources.org/food-4/.
