New research shows when, why refugees face greater food insecurity
Sep 8, 2025, 8:56 AM | Updated: 9:16 am
Stefanny Sanchez, right, laughs with her daughter Siri, 4, in the center and her son Sair, 6, on the right, while eating dinner together during the Larry H. Miller Company and the Miller family’s 26th Annual Season of Service Thanksgiving Meal and Community Resource Event where more than 3,000 Thanksgiving meals and access to community resources were distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Salt Lake County, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (Brice Tucker/Deseret News)
(Brice Tucker/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — New research from the University of Utah Health finds that refugees in the U.S. often face greater food insecurity after securing their first job, but before they’re stable enough to live comfortably.
Dr. Nasser Sharareh, a research assistant professor at the University of Utah Health, said two things typically contribute to this.
“So the problem is that they’re going to lose their SNAP benefits when they find a job, and then they do not have enough savings or a strong social network to help them in those difficult times,” Sharareh said.
The other hurdle is that refugees often don’t realize they have to reapply for those benefits.
“Refugees, when we interview them, they said, ‘We need more SNAP benefits and to extend and improve SNAP benefits,'” Sharareh explained.
Sharareh said Utah still has high rates of food insecurity, but with one big difference.
“Utah is doing way, way better than other states in terms of community support,” Sharareh said.
He hopes public benefits can last longer and communities can step up to help more.
Read more: Here’s how federal Medicaid, food stamp changes will impact Utah taxpayers
