The federal government shutdown has now stretched into its 16th day on Thursday with no resolution in sight, as Democrats and Republicans remain locked in a standoff over healthcare subsidies. The prolonged closure is beginning to threaten critical food assistance programs that millions of Americans rely on.

The latest development came when the U.S. Department of Agriculture warned states this week that if the shutdown extends into November, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could be the next casualty of the political impasse.

Minnesota has already begun feeling the impact. The state's government website announced that as of 10 p.m. last night, they are no longer accepting new SNAP applications due to the shutdown. Similar effects are being reported in Denver, where new SNAP

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