Three prominent Austin chefs have joined more than 150 U.S. culinary luminaries in calling on federal lawmakers to preserve funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps feed more than 40 million low-income Americans. Billions of dollars in federal SNAP benefits are at stake due to a proposed decrease in federal funding.

The local chefs who signed an April 8 letter expressing their support for SNAP were:

• Bryce Gilmore, owner and executive chef of Barley Swine, Odd Duck, and Sour Duck Market in Austin.
• Michael Fojtasek, founder and executive chef of Olamaie, Maie Day, Little Ola’s Biscuits, Gimme Burger, Redbud Icehouse in Austin. He also leads the culinary team at Austin’s Butler Pitch & Putt.
• Nathan Lemley, co-owner and chef at Foreign & Domestic in Austin and Commerce Cafe in Lockhart.

What follows are comments from each of the three Austin chefs about SNAP benefits.

As chefs, food lovers, and citizens, we have a role to play — not just in the kitchen but in the policies and conversations that shape our food systems. Everyone in our communities — children, parents, and elders alike — should know when and where their next meal is coming from. Everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy ingredients that nourish their bodies. No one should go to bed hungry.
— Bryce Gilmore

SNAP benefits are an essential part of making sure our country's youth have what they need to be ready to learn and grow. As Americans, we know that SNAP is an investment in our future. It is imperative that we continue to support children, our greatest resource. We have enjoyed being the wealthiest country in the world. I believe investing in our youth keeps us on that pathway.
— Michael Fojtasek

Kitchens can be a place of joy, creativity, and connection, but for some, they’re a place of scarcity and tough decisions. Grocery runs are being skipped to pay the light bill, and far too many people are struggling to get by, both in Austin and in every city across the U.S. If we want a bright future, Congress has to act now and protect SNAP. Our communities simply cannot thrive without it.
— Nathan Lemley

The culinary professionals addressed their letter to the Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, and the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.

Celebrity chef and philanthropist Rachael Ray helped spearhead the pro-SNAP initiative, organized by the nonprofit No Kid Hungry.

“As culinary leaders, we have built our careers around the power of food — not just as a means of nourishment, but as a way to bring people together and strengthen communities,” the letter says. “Every day, we see the impact that access to nutrition has on people’s lives. At a time when millions of Americans are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of food, it’s more important than ever before to protect SNAP, one of our nation’s most powerful tools to end hunger.”

The Trump administration and congressional Republicans appear to be on track to slash federal SNAP funding. One GOP-backed plan would require states, for the first time ever, to pick up some of the tab for SNAP benefits, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The center complains that reducing federal SNAP funding would merely shift money to tax cuts for wealthy Americans.

The budget and policy center’s data shows Texans received $7.2 billion in SNAP benefits during the federal government’s 2024 budget year, which ended September 30.

If Texas became responsible for covering just five percent of SNAP benefits, it’d be on the hook for more than $3.4 billion in costs from the 2026 through 2034 federal budget years, the center estimates. With a 10 percent cost share, the Texas figure would rise to $6.8 billion for the same period. And if the cost share climbed to 25 percent, Texas would be saddled with $17 billion in SNAP expenses from 2026 through 2034, according to the center’s projections.

Aside from the three Austin chefs, other Texas culinary professionals who signed the letter are:

• Leonard Botello IV, owner and pitmaster of Truth BBQ in Houston and Brenham.
• Tiffany Derry, a celebrity chef in Dallas who’ll be a judge this summer on “MasterChef: Dynamic Duo,” airing on Fox and Hulu.
• Evelyn Garcia, chef and co-owner of JUN & KIN HTX in Houston.
• Shawn Gawle, chef and owner of Camaraderie in Houston.
• Alba Huerta, bartender and owner at Julep in Houston.
• Rebecca Masson, owner and pastry chef at Fluff Bake Bar in Houston.
• Ryan Pera, chef and owner at Agricole Hospitality in Houston (Coltivare, Eight Row Flint East End, Eight Row Flint Heights, EZ’s Liquor Lounge).