📰BIDDEFORD | Indecision in D.C Leading to Starving Maine Families

-1,535 Eligible Students to Lose SNAP Benefits | Mayoral Candidates Weigh In-

October 23, 2025 - “The halting of the SNAP program during this government shutdown is the poster child for dysfunction of the Federal government and the partisan bickering's impact on the citizen's lives.” - Norman Belanger, Biddeford Mayoral Candidate & Current Ward 6 City Councilor  

Message currently displayed on Maine DHHS website

As many are aware at this point, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has notified the State of Maine that November funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation's largest anti-hunger program, will be brought to a screeching halt. This will be detrimental to the homes of millions of Americans, but more specifically, thousands of Mainers and residents of Biddeford.

According to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, there are approximately 42 million citizens throughout the United States that receive SNAP benefits, including 169,812 in Maine. In total, nearly 12.5 percent of Maine's population receive SNAP benefits.

Additionally, nearly 75% of Maine's SNAP households include at least one working adult, more than half include a person with a disability, 43% include an older adult, and over one-third include children. There are currently 1,535 eligible students in the Biddeford School system that will lose their SNAP benefits on November 1st, if the government shutdown does not resolve.

Given the severity of the issue, we reached out to the 3 individuals running to be the next mayor of Biddeford (Martin Grohman, Norman Belanger, and Liam Lafountain) and asked the candidates to respond to three questions pertaining to the Government shutdown & SNAP benefits.

L - F: Martin Grohman, Liam Lafountain, Norman Belanger

The first question we asked the candidates was, “What advice do you have for Biddeford residents who currently rely on SNAP benefits and other governmental assistance programs?” Below are their responses:

Candidate Martin Grohman- “We are currently putting together a resource flyer. We will have expanded food distribution, coordinated with Biddeford Food Pantry and Youth Full Maine, likely starting 10/31 but will confirm the start date as soon as possible”

Candidate Norman Belanger- “They should try to get assistance from the various agencies that are still out there helping. That included the Biddeford General Assistance Program.  I've attached a copy of their resource citing various food resources.”

Candidate Liam Lafountain- “First and foremost, residents should know they are not alone. Many families are affected by this shutdown, and local organizations are ready to help fill the gap while federal programs are paused. For immediate assistance, residents can turn to resources such as the Bon Appétit Community Meal Program, Seeds of Hope, Youthful Maine, the Biddeford Food Pantry, and the York County Food Pantry, all of which provide meals or food support. There are also monthly community meals hosted in Biddeford, Saco, and OOB by various non-profits. For additional help, qualifying residents can apply for General Assistance, which provides emergency support for basic needs such as food, housing, and utilities: biddefordmaine.org/2307/General-Assistance. Beyond accessing local resources, I would encourage residents to reach out to trusted neighbors, faith groups, or nonprofits if they find themselves struggling. Periods of instability like this are not a reflection of personal failure; they serve as a reminder of how deeply federal decisions impact people’s day-to-day lives, and why local support networks are crucial.”

The second question that we asked the candidates regarding the halting of SNAP benefits was, “If elected (re-elected), what steps will you take as mayor to help battle food insecurity in the city?” Below are their responses:

Candidate Grohman- “I am a signatory to the Mayor's Alliance to End Childhood Hunger. Their resources will bring new food security support to Biddeford.”

Candidate Belanger- “We need to look hard at the level that we support the various food assistance programs to help combat food insecurity.  This year we began funding the community garden program as well as the traditional food pantries and meal programs. These provide essential community services which the City should stand behind.”

Candidate Lafountain- “Food insecurity is not just a food issue. It is a housing, wages, and transportation issue. As mayor, I will continue building partnerships across sectors to address the root causes. That includes strengthening collaborations between local partners like Seeds of Hope, Bon Appétit Community Meal Program, Youthful Maine, Biddeford Community Gardens, York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC), schools, and other nonprofits to expand access to healthy, affordable food. [It includes] Supporting community gardens, farmers' markets, and local food initiatives that keep dollars circulating locally and help residents access fresh produce. [It also includes] working with employers to promote living wages and stable jobs so families can rely less on emergency support and more on sustainable income. [Lastly, it includes] supporting transportation initiatives that improve access to grocery stores and community meal sites, and continue to advocate for resources that help families struggling with rising costs. I also want to restart Biddeford community dinners, creating a welcoming space for residents to share a meal and conversation together. These gatherings once played a significant role in fostering connections and ensuring that no one felt left out.  A thriving Biddeford means no one goes hungry.”

The Third and final question we asked the mayoral candidates was, “What message would you send to leadership in D.C. if you could speak to them regarding the shutdown and the impact it is having on assistance programs for residents?” Below are their responses:

Candidate Grohman: “I know you guys wanna pick fights with each other but cutting off food to children is not the way to do it.”

Candidate Belanger:"The Congress needs to stop requiring these continuing resolutions which only allows for one party or the other to hold up government to push forward their personal agenda at the cost of harming the electorate. You were elected to work together not at cross-purposes.  Once an appropriation has been approved, the funding shouldn't require a second approval."

Candidate Lafountain: “When Washington stops working, Biddeford families pay the price. A shutdown does not just delay paperwork; it delays meals for families, support for children, and peace of mind for seniors. At a time when Maine communities are already facing food deserts and rising costs, federal inaction only deepens hardship. My message would be simple: lead responsibly. Programs like SNAP and WIC are not political bargaining chips. They are lifelines. We need a bipartisan commitment to strengthen, not stall, the supports that keep families in Biddeford and across Maine fed and secure. While important work is being done locally, we also need a stronger regional approach, one that brings together community action agencies, nonprofits, schools, and local governments to align efforts and share resources. Stability at the federal level enables local partners to work effectively and ensure that no one goes hungry.”

We would like to thank the three mayoral candidates for taking time to answer these important questions and provide the community a better understanding of where they stand on these issues.

The halting of SNAP benefits will hurt Maine families; the average monthly SNAP benefit for a family of four in Maine is $572.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The polls will be open at Biddeford High School Tiger Gym (20 Maplewood Ave) from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

For more information regarding this year’s election please visit: https://www.biddefordmaine.org/2170/Election-Information

For more information regarding individual candidates, community news and more please visit: https://www.biddefordbuzz.com/

For more information regarding SNAP benefits in Maine visit: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/food-supplement

To reach the Biddeford Food Pantry please visit: https://biddefordfoodpantry.org/