More than 800,000 New Jersey children and adults who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, began November with empty debit accounts as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Food pantries across the Tri-State Area struggled to meet newfound demand Saturday as the uncertainty of SNAP benefits sets in nationwide amid the government shutdown.

The elimination of farm-to-school funding and changes to SNAP eligibility may disqualify tens of thousands of kids from getting free meals at school.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a directive to grocery stores telling them not to offer discounts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients during the government shutdown

Pennsylvania and New Jersey SNAP recipients are able to use funds that have already been put in their accounts, but future payments are up in the air.

One New Jersey pizzeria is trying to make sure no one in their community goes hungry while SNAP benefits are frozen. The family-owned establishment, Roman Gourmet, in Maplewood, New Jersey, is offering two free slices of pizza and a soda to anyone who comes in with a SNAP EBT card,

Phil Murphy, along with Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nick Scutari, was preparing to accelerate SNAP funding for food programs.

On Thursday, a Rhode Island judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP and release the money to states by Friday. The Trump administration quickly appealed the order asking for an emergency pause to the ruling.

Gov. Murphy declares a state of emergency after the Trump administration suspends SNAP benefits, affecting over 800,000 New Jersey residents.