Issue #39, October 1, 2008

FRAC News Digest

1. USDA Rolls Out Food Stamp Name Change to SNAP
2. Economic Stimulus Bill - and Food Stamp Boost - Blocked
3. Food Stamp Boost Inexpensive Next to Financial Bailout
4. USDA and Institute of Medicine Study to Recommend CACFP Guidelines Revisions
5. Hunger's Effects Extend Far Beyond Discomfort
6. More California Seniors Now Eligible for Food Stamps
7. Washington State Raises Food Stamp Income Eligibility Limits
8. Maryland Group Embarks on Food Stamp Challenge
9. Where's the Bailout for the Hungry?
10. Hurricane Ike Victims Line Up for Food Stamps in Texas
11. Flood Victims File for Food Stamps Over FEMA Aid
12. Food Stamp Outreach Goes Mobile in New Jersey
13. Boston Convenes Food and Fuel Summit
14. Food Prices and Nutrition Key to Child Nutrition Reauthorization Debate
15. Baltimore Schools Move Free Breakfast Into the Classroom
16. School Systems Get Grants to Increase Meal Participation
17. WIC Programs to Start Offering EBT Cards
    

1. USDA Rolls Out Food Stamp Name Change to SNAP
(USDA.gov, September 29, 2008)

A major change resulting from the recently-passed Farm Bill (or the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008), effective October 1, has changed the name of the Food Stamp Program to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The change, according to USDA, "more accurately reflects the Program's mission to provide food assistance and nutrition education to assist participants as they move to a healthier lifestyle and self-sufficiency." According to Nancy Montanez Johner, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, the change "strengthens the ability to more effectively put healthy food within reach by increasing access to all who are eligible." States are "encouraged, but not required" to adopt the new name, but they have the option to rename the program as they wish. USDA is tracking state food stamp name changes on a chart available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/roll-out/state-chart.pdf. Fourteen states have named their program SNAP, 7 have changed to a name of their choosing, 6 are still using "food stamp program," 10 are keeping their current alternate name for the program, and 16 are undecided. According to the USDA announcement, the agency "is working closely with State agencies, retailers, community and faith-based organizations and other partners to ensure successful and seamless implementation of the national name change and other components of the Farm Bill."

2. Economic Stimulus Bill - and Food Stamp Boost - Blocked
(AP-Google, September 26, 2008)

Food stamps and unemployment insurance will not get the necessary boosts to increase economic activity as the second economic stimulus bill was blocked. The votes totaled 52-42, short of the 60 votes needed to defeat any filbusters; the White House promised to veto the bill, saying it cost too much. The previous economic stimulus bill paid tax rebates to citizens to boost the economy, which is still sagging, and Democrats have been pushing since the last bill to increase aid payments to households already receiving food stamps and unemployment, among other forms of aid. Economists have stated that increasing food stamp payments gets money quickly and directly into the economy, as recipients are more likely to spend the money right away. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) agreed: "We get the biggest buck stimulus-wise…by expanding food stamp benefits. That's the best."

3. Food Stamp Boost Inexpensive Next to Financial Bailout
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 26, 2008)

With financial "bailout" news dominating the media, editorial writer Eddie Roth notes that another bailout is being debated on Capitol Hill - the second economic stimulus package. Roth points out that one "element" of the package is an increase in food stamp benefits. He cites support for this proposal from Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), one of the heads of the House Hunger Caucus, who said "Substantial numbers of working Americans and their children are helped by food stamps every year. If the Congress considers another stimulus bill this year, the food stamp program should be bolstered so it can continue to help Americans suffering through challenging times." Roth outlines the "shocking" growth rate in food stamp use among Missourians: "In June 2003, about 620,000 Missourians participated in the program. In the five years since, enrollment in the state has jumped by more than 45 percent." Families with children make up more than 80 percent of recipient households, many of which are headed by working people "whose jobs don't pay enough to pay for their families' groceries." While the program is an "efficient and effective federal initiative," it no longer meets the needs of these households as they struggle with soaring food and fuel costs. Food stamp benefits are based on the "Thrifty Food Plan," which is the basic food basket that USDA uses to determine a nutritionally adequate diet at the lowest cost. But, the Thrifty Food Plan has not kept up with current food prices. Food banks and pantries are feeling the strain, as many food stamp recipients are also depending on these food sources at a time when donations are significantly down. Roth notes that the increase needed in a food stamp boost is far below the figures mentioned in the financial bailout. "If everyone in the food stamp program nationwide received a 20 percent increase for six months," he writes, "it would cost about $3 billion."

4. USDA and Institute of Medicine Study to Recommend CACFP Guidelines Revisions
(FRAC, September 29, 2008)

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service recently funded a study by the Institute of Medicine to review and recommend revisions to the Child and Adult Care Food Program meal patterns and standards to reflect the most recent Dietary Guidelines, other relevant nutrition science, and up-to-date knowledge on the best feeding practices in child care. FRAC will disseminate more information on the study as news is released. Details will posted shortly.

5. Hunger's Effects Extend Far Beyond Discomfort
(Salem Statesman Journal, September 23, 2008)

One out of five people in Oregon's Marion and Polk counties suffer from hunger, and the counties are experiencing some of the largest increases in WIC participation among the region's farm workers. In this article, Kim Walker writes about the major physical and mental health problems hunger can produce in children, adults and senior citizens. She cites information from FRAC that indicates children suffering from hunger are "more likely to suffer high rates of infant mortality, stunted growth and iron-deficiency anemia; a reduced capacity for learning; and greater difficulty with behavior and social interactions." Undernourished pregnant mothers are more likely to have low-birthweight babies, while hungry mothers of preschool and school-age children "may experience high rates of major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders." In adults, hunger and malnutrition makes chronic and acute diseases worse, and decreases quality of life for senior citizens. The Oregon Center for Public Policy reported last year that food insecure adults are "significantly more likely to be depressed than those with secure food access." Women Ending Hunger, formed this year, is working to solve the hunger problem by helping the food insecure become more self-sufficient. The group is planning educational programs on money management and improving nutrition, and plans to conduct food stamp outreach to sign up those households and individuals eligible for the program but not receiving the benefit.

6. More California Seniors Now Eligible for Food Stamps
(San Mateo County Times, September 28, 2008)

Senior citizens in California with certain types of individual retirement accounts are now eligible for food stamps, as new regulations which are part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (also known as the Farm Bill) take effect. "In the past," said San Mateo County food stamp program manager Lenita Ellis, "if seniors had more than $3,000 in certain retirement accounts, they were excluded. Now they will be able to qualify." In addition, home, car and property ownership will not be counted against senior applicants. Increased numbers of seniors are been applying for food stamps, as the economy continues its downward trend and rents in San Mateo county are up.

7. Washington State Raises Food Stamp Income Eligibility Limits
(Bellingham Herald, September 28, 2008)

Recent legislation has raised the household monthly income limit for food stamps in Washington State from 130 percent of the federal poverty level to 200 percent, making many more families eligible for the benefit. In addition, the new rules also make children in food stamp families automatically eligible for free school lunch. It's estimated that the rule changes will save families hundreds of dollars a year, as tens of thousands of state residents become eligible for food stamps - now called "Basic Food" in Washington State - according to Shawn Collins, outreach and development director for the Opportunity Council. Collins also noted that the increased numbers will benefit farmers and grocery stores, as every $5 in new food stamp revenue equals $9.20 in local economic activity.

8. Maryland Group Embarks on Food Stamp Challenge
(Gazette.net, September 24, 2008)

Manna Food Center in Montgomery County, Md., signed up dozens of residents to take part in their recent week-long Food Stamp Challenge. The challenge coincides with Manna's 25th anniversary. The center's executive director, Amy Gabala, described the goal of the challenge - to focus attention on hunger in the county and show how difficult it is to live on a food budget of $1 a meal, one person's average food stamp benefit. A couple of years ago, FRAC encouraged lawmakers to take part in the challenge. This raised interest across the country and Gabala has wanted to try it. "With the worsening economy and high cost of gas, it seems like a really good time to bring to people's attention how hard it is to eat well on a limited income or on food stamps," Gabala said. "More and more families in Montgomery County are finding it difficult to put food on the table." Manna Food Center has seen a 25 percent increase in families seeking help from the organization for food. Food stamp applications in Montgomery County rose two percent from June to July, and increased 15 percent since the previous year. According to Gabala, Manna feeds "600 hungry families and 600 hungry elementary-school children each week."

9. Where's the Bailout for the Hungry?
(The Washington Post, September 28, 2008)

According to this commentary by Joel Berg, executive director of the New York Coalition Against Hunger, he and other social services advocates have trouble understanding why the federal government is ready to spend "a trillion dollars" to bail out the financial sector, while millions go hungry across the U.S. "When advocates point out that our nation is facing…soaring hunger and homelessness, and that a large-scale bailout is needed to prevent social services nationwide from buckling under the increasing load, we are told that the money these agencies need just doesn't exist." Berg cites USDA statistics showing that in 2006, 35.5 million Americans (up 4 million from 1999) live in households unable to afford enough food to eat - households that include more than 12 million children. When advocates called on Congress to "obtain serious funding increases to meet the soaring needs," they were told "times are just too tough to increase budgets." Berg notes that times are "bleak" in New York City, with the mayor and state governor working to cut emergency feeding programs while the number of meals served by the city-supported food pantries and soup kitchens has increased nine percent over the past year. Berg concludes "Just as it is unthinkable for the country to allow financial giants to go belly-up, it should be unthinkable to look the other way as tens of millions of low-income Americans (the types of people who clean the offices of AIG and Fannie Mae at night) go without food or shelter. It's time to get our priorities in order."

10. Hurricane Ike Victims Line Up for Food Stamps in Texas
(Click2Houston.com, September 20, 2008)

Houston, Texas victims of Hurricane Ike began lining up at 3 a.m. in order to apply for food stamps, after the storm knocked out electricity and ruined perishable items like milk in many homes. Some victims are worried about paying rent after having to replace food in homes still without power. Workers sped up the application process by having potential recipients fill out paperwork while waiting in line, and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services "…is trying to open up more offices for assistance," according to department spokesperson Karen Black. Applicants can also take advantage of telephone interviews for assistance, in order to avoid standing in long lines.

11. Flood Victims File for Food Stamps Over FEMA Aid
(WIBC, September 29, 2008)

Flood victims in northwest Indiana are applying for food stamps but may be missing out on FEMA aid. Disaster food stamp applications are outnumbering federal disaster assistance applications more than 2-to-1 at recovery centers. Disaster food stamp and FEMA aid applications were taken in two separate lines, and officials believe that some people headed home after applying food stamps rather than wait on another long line for FEMA aid. In their first two days of operation, the recovery centers in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties processed 5,000 food stamp applications; according to Andy Miller, director of the Indiana Office of Disaster Recovery, workers expected to process similar numbers of the following days. FEMA disaster aid provides funding for housing, home repairs and low-cost loans to homeowners, renters and businesses recovering from uninsured property losses and other damage caused by "torrential rains" beginning September 12 that caused flooding and high winds causing property damage and downed power lines.

(Editor's note: in this economy, not all lines are for food stamps; The New York Times reported on September 26th on a different type of line: New Yorkers waited for over an hour to gain access to an exclusive, invitation-only sale by luxury-goods purveyor Hermes. Many in the line worked for the troubled financial system, but felt a need to counter the bad news by purchasing "something nice."  One banker - on crutches - who waited on line for an hour noted "I just needed a break." "Bargains" included a pair of boots for $900, or a "leather-bound hunting horn the size of a comb" for $280.)

12. Food Stamp Outreach Goes Mobile in New Jersey
(Star-Ledger, September 23, 2008)

Nearly 450,000 New Jersey residents receive food stamps, and a new outreach initiative in the state is focused on the thousands that are eligible but have not applied. The Essex County mobile Citizen Services Office will travel to ShopRite supermarkets in six counties to sign up potential applicants as well as distribute information on food stamps and other government programs. The vehicle, which resembles a mobile home, has a reception area and three private offices. It has travelled to health fairs, senior citizen events, and disaster areas. This is the first time the vehicle will be partnering with a business, like ShopRite, to extend outreach and expand government aid numbers. Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, commenting on the initiative, said "The people throughout the county and…the state have been hurting for a very, very long time. There's a lot of people out there that need our help." ShopRite stores will advertise the hours the vehicle will be available and provide customers with information on public aid programs, according to supermarket spokeswoman Jeanette Casteneda.

13. Boston Convenes Food and Fuel Summit
(Metro Boston News, September 24, 2008)

A "food and fuel summit" was held in Boston over the final weekend in September 2008. Convened in response to the ongoing food and fuel prices causing residents to struggle with their bills, the summit featured workshops run by city agencies and nonprofit organizations on food stamps, fuel discounts, and home weatherization. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino noted that this year, with the gloomy financial climate, more citizens will be struggling in the months ahead over whether to buy fuel or heating oil.

14. Food Prices and Nutrition Key to Child Nutrition Reauthorization Debate
(CQ Weekly, September 15, 2008)

The 2009 reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, which covers federal school lunch programs and child nutrition services, will be affected by the ongoing rise in food prices as well as the national focus on childhood obesity and nutrition. School cafeteria operators say that lunchrooms will need an increase in funding if they are to feature nutritious meals, "It's impossible to update nutrition standards without additional resources," said Marshall Matz, Washington counsel for the School Nutrition Association. Groups like FRAC are "urging a major expansion of the low-income school-breakfast plan." Jim Weill, president of FRAC, said "Getting more kids federally reimbursed for a meal that meets federal standards is not only better for kids' health, it's better for the school meal program's bottom line."
[Article available through subscription to CQ]

15. Baltimore Schools Move Free Breakfast Into the Classroom
(Baltimore Sun, September 23, 2008)

Although the Baltimore, Md. school system has been offering free breakfasts to students for a number of years, participation has been low. To increase numbers, the schools will offer students free breakfasts they can eat in their classrooms. Currently, approximately 17,500 students - 22 percent of enrollment - eat breakfast at school, leaving many students entering their first class hungry. Baltimore school officials, including the school system's new food service director Anthony Geraci, hope they can convince 40,000 to 80,000 students to eat breakfast in class every day, which would generate $5.2 million in revenue the first year, between federal reimbursements and a recycling program. To get more children eating, Geraci designed a boxed breakfast that includes milk, 100-percent juice, low-sugar cereal and a high-protein snack. This is Geraci's first major initiative, and participation prizes from the Ravens and Orioles for students are being featured. Geraci is focusing on increasing participation in school lunch too, and has invited students to design their own lunch menus, awarding bonuses for using family recipes and locally-grown ingredients.

16. School Systems Get Grants to Increase Meal Participation
(Newsday, September 26, 2008)

Grants totaling $9 million will help schools improve breakfast and summer meal participation numbers, possibly reaching 600,000 students in three years. The grants are funded by an alliance that includes East Side Entrees, the "got breakfast?" Foundation, the National Dairy Council and other food suppliers and will target districts with high numbers of free and reduced-price meal-eligible students. The grant program was announced by the East Side Entrees' CEO Gary A. Davis at former president Bill Clinton's annual Clinton Global Initiative forum in Manhattan. Baltimore city schools will receive the first grant, announced Davis, which means $250,000 will go to the district in the next two years to bring free classroom breakfasts to 25,000 eligible children. Baltimore Food Services Director Anthony Geraci plans to build school kitchens for cooking food (instead of reheating "processed food"), purchase local, fresh food for meals, and turn a local farm into a classroom where nutrition and food origins will be taught to students.

17. WIC Programs to Start Offering EBT Cards
(USDA News Release, September 18, 2008)

USDA grants to states, totaling $9 million, will help agencies with technical improvements to the WIC program which will allow participants to purchase food through use of EBT cards. The money will "subsidize the development, implementation, and transfer of newer, more capable computer systems and electronic benefit transfer (EBT)." USDA Secretary Ed Shafer commented on the announcement, saying "Offering EBT cards gives families needed access to benefits without the delay and stigma of paper coupons."

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