Nutrition Consortium Praises New York State Assembly Social Services Committee for Continued Support of the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program

On December 15, 2009, the Nutrition Consortium of New York State testified at the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Social Services Hearing. The topic of the hearing was "The Impact of the 2009-2010 State Budget on the Programs and Services of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)." The Nutrition Consortium spoke about the many benefits of OTDA's continued funding for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) in 2009-2010. Here is an excerpt from the testimony:

"One of OTDA’s successful initiatives to increase access to nutrition assistance programs by eligible populations is the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP). NOEP is funded by OTDA and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and federally matched dollar for dollar by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Nutrition Consortium , as the statewide administrator of NOEP, would like to extend its most sincere thanks to the Assembly for its leadership in maintaining funding for this important program in the 2009-2010 budget, along with the Senate and Governor. In particular, we would like to thank Assemblyman Wright for his commitment to maintaining NOEP funding, despite a very difficult budget situation in the State..."

"By the end of 2009-2010, we project that NOEP will bring at least $70 million in federal food stamp benefits into the state. This is 35 times what the state will have invested in it. A program that returns 35 times what the state invests in it, improves public health, promotes self-sufficiency, helps people from all backgrounds, ethnic groups, ages, and geographic areas, is a wonderful example of good, sound public policy, and we commend the New York State Assembly for recognizing it as such, and maintaining its funding..."

Read the full testimony

Nutrition Consortium Press Release Commends Congressman Tonko for Universal Classroom Breakfast Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Casey Dinkin, Manager of Advocacy and Communications
Nutrition Consortium of NYS
(518)229-8845
www.nutritionconsortium.org

Anti-Hunger Advocates Commend Congressman Paul Tonko for Bill to Expand Universal Classroom Breakfast

Albany, NY, 12/23/09—Anti-hunger advocates commended Congressman Paul Tonko for introducing a bill to expand Universal Classroom Breakfast programs by offering startup grants to schools. The Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act (H.R. 4325) is aimed at replicating the successful model of universal breakfast in the classroom. Studies show that universal breakfast in the classroom is the most effective way to deliver morning nutrition to students, and a wide body of research documents the many positive academic, health, and social benefits of school breakfast consumption on children.

“The Nutrition Consortium of NYS applauds Congressman Paul Tonko for introducing this well-timed legislation, which will have a positive impact on children’s health, education, and well-being,” said Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of NYS, a statewide anti-hunger organization. “73% of New York’s low-income children miss out on school breakfast, despite rising numbers of children in New York who struggle with hunger.”

Bopp continued, “Research shows that moving breakfast from the cafeteria to the classroom more than doubles the number of children who participate. Congressman Tonko’s legislation is based on the well-documented link between increased school breakfast consumption and improved academic performance, including higher test scores, fewer nurse visits and disciplinary office referrals, and less absenteeism and tardiness. Making sure that children have nutritious breakfast to start their day is good for New York’s children, schools, and future.”
For more resources on School Breakfast, and Universal Classroom Breakfast see the following:

http://www.frac.org/pdf/breakfastforlearning.PDF
http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/childnutrition/documents/abcfinal.pdf
http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/childnutrition/documents/2007-2008ShinewithSBReport.pdf
http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/childnutrition/documents/BreakfastAftertheBellSlideshow.pdf

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Congressman Paul Tonko Introduces Bill to Expand Universal Classroom Breakfast for Low-Income Children

From Representative Tonko's website (http://tonko.house.gov/2009/12/rep-tonko-introduces-bill-to-expand-univeral-school-breakfast-program.shtml):

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Paul Tonko introduced a bill today in the U.S. House of Representatives that will help thousands of low-income children receive a free, nutritious breakfast at school. The Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act will create a competitive grant program that will assist schools serving low-income children to establish a universal classroom breakfast program.

"Every child deserves a healthy breakfast to start their day, but the current school breakfast program misses too many students," said Congressman Tonko. "That is why I am proud to introduce the Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act, to help our schools ensure that every child has access to a good breakfast every day. Especially in these difficult economic times, for our municipalities, schools and families, it is important that we give our nation’s children the opportunity to succeed and enhance their mind, body and soul. Daily breakfast does just that."

The Nutrition Consortium's Executive Director, Linda Bopp, is quoted in the press release:

Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of NYS, said, "We commend Congressman Paul Tonko for introducing the ‘Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act’, and urge all members of the New York State Congressional delegation to co-sponsor this legislation that allows for universal classroom breakfast start-up grants. At a time when so many families across the state are struggling to make ends meet, the School Breakfast Program offers a healthy and affordable option to ensure children begin their school day without hunger. Research shows that schools with universal breakfast in the classroom programs have double and triple the breakfast participation rates of those who serve in the cafeteria."


For the full press release, go to: http://tonko.house.gov/2009/12/rep-tonko-introduces-bill-to-expand-univeral-school-breakfast-program.shtml

NYS Ranks 38th in Nation for School Breakfast Participation, Study Finds

NYS Ranks 38th in Nation for School Breakfast Participation, Study Finds

The high cost of low participation means that NYS is losing almost $52 million annually in federal funding. From the Food Research and Action Center:

Participation in School Breakfast Program Should be Higher, FRAC Reports
(FRAC, December 7, 2009)

Across the country, more children could be participating in the federal School Breakfast Program, especially as families struggle with unemployment and other financial difficulties during the recession, according to the School Breakfast Scorecard (pdf) and School Breakfast in America's Big Cities (pdf), two reports published by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) this month. Only 47 children participate in the breakfast program for every 100 receiving free and reduced-price lunch. "The free breakfast program is never more important than it is today due to the effects of the recession," said FRAC president Jim Weill. "Nationally we've seen a real increase in breakfast participation among low income children both because of the recession and because states generally have slowly been increasing breakfast use, but participation is just not growing fast enough. States can do a better job in reaching more children and Congress needs to take steps to make it easier for schools and children to reap the benefits of school breakfast."

Free Webinar about Hunger in US, 12/8

One in six Americans is in a struggle against hunger. Please join a FREE webinar hosted by the Coalition on Human Needs (CHN) to learn more.

Date: Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm

From CHN: In just one year, the number of people in households that sometimes lacked the money for enough nutritious food rose from 36 million to 49 million - the highest number on record. Among them were 17 million children - 4 million more in 2008 than in 2007. This is called food insecurity. The recession is making it worse. It is hurting children.

During the webinar, learn about:

• What the USDA food security survey means
• How to use the food security data compellingly, simply, and accurately
• Research showing how food insecurity hurts children
• What policy choices can halt this very disturbing trend

For more information about this FREE webinar and/or to register, click here.

Food Stamp Use Soars, and Stigma Fades

New York Times Article by JASON DePARLE and ROBERT GEBELOFF
Published: November 28, 2009

MARTINSVILLE, Ohio — With food stamp use at record highs and climbing every month, a program once scorned as a failed welfare scheme now helps feed one in eight Americans and one in four children.

It has grown so rapidly in places so diverse that it is becoming nearly as ordinary as the groceries it buys. More than 36 million people use inconspicuous plastic cards for staples like milk, bread and cheese, swiping them at counters in blighted cities and in suburbs pocked with foreclosure signs.

More

To view an interactive map that provides county specific data on Food Stamp Usage Across the Country click here.

Congress Should Expand Federal Nutrition Programs: New York Times Op-Ed

Hunger in the United States

New York Times Editorial, November 18, 2009

Congress should make a priority of expanding federal nutrition programs that are aimed at helping millions of struggling families feed their children. The need to bolster these programs was underscored again this week in a dismaying Department of Agriculture study showing that a record number of households had trouble getting sufficient food at one time or another last year.

These facts are troubling enough, but a separate federal study showed that even before the recession began, more than two-thirds of families with children who were defined as “food insecure” under federal guidelines contained one or more full-time worker. This suggests that millions of Americans were trapped in low-wage jobs before the downturn that made it more difficult for them to provide children with adequate nutrition.

More

Hunger in U.S. at a 14-Year High

Hunger in U.S. at a 14-year High

New York Times Article by JASON DePARLE

Published: November 16, 2009

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans who lived in households that lacked consistent access to adequate food soared last year, to 49 million, the highest since the government began tracking what it calls “food insecurity” 14 years ago, the Department of Agriculture reported Monday.

The increase, of 13 million Americans, was much larger than even the most pessimistic observers of hunger trends had expected and cast an alarming light on the daily hardships caused by the recession’s punishing effect on jobs and wages.

More

Webinar Listening Sessions on Ending Childhood Hunger

The USDA is hosting 4 webinar listening sessions focusing on how to achieve the President’s goal of ending child hunger in the US by 2015.

These sessions are free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged (but not required) to speak and/or submit comments with suggestions on how to end child hunger.

Session dates are: Nov 17, Nov 19, Nov 23, and Dec 3.

To register, click here. If you are unable to participate, written comments and recommendations may be submitted via e-mail to the USDA at ECH2015@fns.usda.gov.

For more information about ending child hunger by 2015, please visit the following:

• President Obama's Commitment to End Childhood Hunger by 2015 (here)



• FRAC's Ending Childhood Hunger by 2015: Essential Strategies for Achieving the President's Goal (here)



• Nutrition Consortium of NYS' Ending Childhood Hunger by 2015 (here)

Fall 09 Food Stamp e-News

The Fall 2009 edition of the Food Stamp e-News is now avialable!

Food Stamp e-News is a quarterly newsletter to help keep you up to date on the newest Food Stamp Program policy changes, research, and reports, along with providng tools and resources to assist organizations in working with families who may be eligible for food stamps.

To recieve an electronic copy of the FS e-News sign up for the Food Stamp Network. To contribute articles, research, and/or reports to the next edition of FS e-News contact Dawn Secor via e-mail at dawn.secor@nutritionconsortium.org or by phone at 518-436-8757 x 12.

Click here to view FS e-News in a pdf format.

Half of US kids will get food stamps, study says

By LINDSEY TANNER
The Associated PressMonday,
November 2, 2009 9:32 PM

CHICAGO -- Nearly half of all U.S. children and 90 percent of black youngsters will be on food stamps at some point during childhood, and fallout from the current recession could push those numbers even higher, researchers say.

The estimate comes from an analysis of 30 years of national data, and it bolsters other recent evidence on the pervasiveness of youngsters at economic risk. It suggests that almost everyone knows a family who has received food stamps, or will in the future, said lead author Mark Rank, a sociologist at Washington University in St. Louis.

"Your neighbor may be using some of these programs but it's not the kind of thing people want to talk about," Rank said.

The analysis was released Monday in the November issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. The authors say it's a medical issue pediatricians need to be aware of because children on food stamps are at risk for malnutrition and other ills linked with poverty.

To read more....

October 2009 Version of the Food Stamp Prescreening Guide Now Available

The October 2009 version of "FOOD STAMPS IN NYS: An Eligibility Prescreening Guide" is now available.

This guide is designed for community based organizations, advocates and volunteers who are working with low-income households and want to:

• determine if a household may potentially qualify for food stamp benefits,


• help assist the household through the application process, and


• determine an estimated food stamp benefit allotment.

To veiw or downloaded the guide from our website click here.

To order paper copies of the guide please contact Gail Cooney via e-mail at Gail.Cooney@nutritionconsortium.org or by calling 518-436-8757 x11. Please include the number of copies requested and the contact information for mailing.

Please be aware that we have a limited number of copies and will do our best to fill requests.

End Hunger 2015 Buttons

Show your support for President Barack Obama's goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015 with these three-inch buttons. These buttons were designed by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and are available in bundles of 50.

Price: $22.00
$5.00 additional charge for shipping
D.C. Residents add 5.75% sales tax.

For ordering information, click here.

2009 Summer Food Sponsor Directory Now Available

The Nutrition Consortium of NYS' Summer Food Sponsor Directory is now available online.

All sponsors who operated open, closed-enrolled, and/or camp-sports program SFSP sites during summer 2009 are listed in this directory. Purposes of the directory are to support sponsors’ work by encouraging information sharing and collaboration amongst sponsors; as well as bring attention to their presence throughout their local communities.

To learn more about how to become a SFSP sponsor, how your organization can connect with your nearest sponsor to serve summer meals, and/or provide corrections to this directory, please contact Rachel Rupright @ (518) 463-8757 x21.

http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/childnutrition/documents/09SFSponsorDirectory.pdf

AARP Encourages Older Adults to Sign Up for Food Stamps

Millions of SNAP/Food Stamp dollars are going "untouched," as only 34 percent of eligible senior citizens have signed up for the program writes N. Joyce Payne, Ed.D. and a member of the AARP Board of Directors, in this op-ed.

Food assistance programs like SNAP/Food Stamps can improve the health of senior citizens with limited incomes, especially those living alone. Healthy people are more able to take care of their daily needs and "live independently." However, many older people have to make the choice between paying for groceries or medications.

"The most common reason people do not receive SNAP benefits is that they don't realize they may be eligible," notes Payne. A 2007 Census Bureau report found that an estimated 3.6 million seniors (aged 65 and over) live in poverty in the U.S.

But recent program enhancements mean that many more older New Yorkers (aged 60 and over) may be eligible for this monthly nutrition assistance.

Once a person’s application is approved, benefits automatically get loaded on a debit-style card which is accepted at most grocery stores; there are no hidden fees. The average monthly benefit for older Americans is $72 for individuals and $90 per household.

In addition to supporting healthier food options, SNAP also contributes economically to communities. The USDA says that every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates nearly twice as much ($9.20) in total community spending. "In these tough economic times, AARP remains staunchly committed to connecting those in need with information and access to programs, which offer real relief and assistance in navigating their basic life needs," concludes Payne. "We encourage all older Americans and those who care for them to learn more about Food Stamps/SNAP and apply if they're eligible."

And though SNAP is the federal name for the program, state programs may use SNAP or another program name to refer to this food assistance benefit. New York continues to use the "Food Stamp Program" name. Older New Yorkers can find more information and help with applying for food stamps in their county or receive information about other public benefits via AARP’s Benefits QuickLINK Web site at www.aarp.org/snap.

9/17/09 Child Nutrition Reauthorization Conference Call Materials Available

On September 17, 2009, the Nutrition Consortium of NYS hosted a conference call about the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization of 2009. Callers heard the latest updates, program recommendations, and strategies for working with elected officials to support a strong Reauthorization bill.

Thank you to our presenters from the following organziations: Foodlink, Food Research and Action Center, Jefferson-Lewis Childcare Project, NYS School Nutrition Association, NYS WIC Association, and Public Health Solutions.

Thank you to all who participated and contributed to the conference call!

To access the powerpoint complementary to the conference call, please go to:

http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/childnutrition/documents/CNRConfCall9-17.pdf

Alternate Poverty Formula Doubles Senior Poverty Rate

(Associated Press, September 4, 2009) The poverty rate among older Americans could be nearly twice as high as the traditional 10 percent level, according to a revision of a half-century-old formula for calculating medical costs and geographic variations in the cost of living.

The National Academy of Science's formula would put the poverty rate for Americans 65 and over at 18.6 percent, or 6.8 million people, compared with 9.7 percent, or 3.6 million people, under the current measure. The original government formula, created in 1955, doesn't take account of rising costs of medical care and other factors.

Senior citizens living in poverty is "a hidden problem," said Robin Talbert, president of the AARP Foundation. "There are still many millions of older people on the edge, who don't have what they need to get by."

Last year, New York City recognized that current poverty measure was a poor gauge of either the degree of economic deprivation in the City or the impact of programs intended to alleviate it. The City adopted the NAS numbers, as a realistic threshold of poverty, essentially doubling the number of seniors in poverty (from 18.1 percent to 32 percent). Albany officials plan to reveal revised state numbers next month.

The current calculation sets the poverty level at three times the annual cost of groceries. For a family of four that is $21,203. That calculation does not factor in rising medical, transportation, child care and housing expenses or geographical variations in living costs. Nor does the current formula consider noncash aid when calculating income, despite the recent expansion of food stamps and tax credits in the federal economic stimulus and other government programs. The result: The poverty rate for the overall population has varied little from its current 12.5 percent.
Nationally, official poverty rates for older Americans have improved significantly over the past 30 years due to expansions of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. But many older people with modest cash incomes would fall below the poverty line under the NAS formula due to out-of-pocket expenses from rising Medicare premiums, deductibles and a coverage gap in the prescription drug benefit that is known as the "doughnut hole."

Food Stamp Benefit Estimator Tools

Available now are excel tools updated with the new October 1, 2009 Food Stamp Program (FSP) standards and deductions. These tools help estimate a household’s potential food stamp benefit amount.

It is important to start using these new tools when working with households who are applying for food stamp benefits. This is because the new FSP standards change both the income guidelines and several deductions which affect the estimated food stamp benefit amount for a household.

click here to veiw the tools

“Back to School” Resources for Increasing Access to School Meals

Explore new “Back to School” resources to help schools conduct free and reduced-price meals application outreach, increase school breakfast participation, and operate at-risk afterschool snack and supper programs.

Please visit:

The Nutrition Consortium of NYS: http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/childnutrition/relatedtools.htm

The Food Research and Action Center: http://www.frac.org/back_to_school_resources_2009.htm

Upcoming Food Stamp Program Changes

On October 1, 2009, Food Stamp Program standards and deductions--the measures used to determine the amount of food stamp benefits a household receives--will be adjusted. This adjustment happens annually, to reflect changes to the Federal Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLAs).

A new memo has been posted to the Nutrition Consortium website that highlights the changes in Food Stamp Program standards and deductions for October 1, 2009:

Click here to view the memo
Click here to view the October 1, 2009 Food Stamp Budget Worksheet

Warning for food stamp recipients

Just an FYI - this was a news headline from Rochester, NY:

Posted on: 08/28/2009 10:40 AM WHEC.com

There is a warning out today for food stamp clients. A statewide scam has made its way to Monroe County and food stamp recipients are told to take extra caution not to divulge their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cash account information or PIN numbers to anyone.

How the scam works: Food stamp clients are asked to call 1-877-301-7436 where an individual prompts the caller to have a credit card ready, since the transaction will cost $3.95. After being placed on hold, the caller is then asked to provide information which includes the caller's EBT debit card number and pin number. After giving the information, the caller is told that $1,000 will be added to their food stamp account and in addition to a monetary reward, some clients are being told they could also receive gift cards for retail stores or gas cards. Instead, clients receive no benefit and are at risk for their accounts to be emptied.

The County has reported its complaints and findings to the Attorney General.

For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com.

Hunger-Free New York FIESTA!

Join the Nutrition Consortium of NYS on Thursday, September 24, 2009 for our first fundraising event at Mexican Radio in Hudson, NY. 25% of your bill will be donated to the Nutrition Consortium's Campaign for a Hunger-Free New York.

Click here to see the flyer for the event, created for us by our friends at Price Chopper!

http://www.mexrad.com/Events.htm

Grants Available for Schools to Offer Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Love Your Veggies Grant Program

The Love Your Veggies Grant Program, sponsored by the makers of Hidden Valley Salad Dressings, supports elementary school programs nationwide that increase student access to, and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in the lunchroom. The initiative will award $10,000 grants to ten elementary schools in order to help them develop a program offering fresh produce. The selected programs may be implemented as early as April 2010 and should last through the 2010-2011 school year. Funds may be used for any of the following: the purchase of fresh produce, a vegetable station (such as a salad bar), kitchen equipment, program staffing, nutrition education supplies, or food safety training. Online applications must be submitted by November 6, 2009. Detailed application guidelines are available on the Love Your Veggies website.

Further Information about the 2009 Back-to-School One-Time Payment

For additional information about NYS' "Back-to-School One-Time Payment" to certain households with children that receive Temporary Assistance (TA) and/or Food Stamp Program (FSP) benefits, please see the following links:

Click here for a policy memo from NYS OTDA.

Click here for a memo from the Nutrition Consortium of NYS to
community-based organizations.

Click here for the Nutrition Consortium of NYS' previous blog posts about
the "Back-to-School One-Time Payment".

Summer Food Celebration Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Casey Dinkin, Nutrition Consortium of NYS, (518) 229-8845

EVENT AT FREE MEAL SITE FOR ALBANY CHILDREN HIGHLIGHTS UPCOMING NATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO COMBAT CHILDHOOD HUNGER

Thursday, August 13, 2009, Albany, NY—Today, Albany children celebrated the Summer Food Service Program with a “Summer Food Celebration” event at Sheridan Park. The event was designed to raise awareness of the Summer Food Service Program, which provides free meals to children during the summer months, and recognize an upcoming opportunity to improve this and other nutrition programs for children through federal legislation, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2009.

Children enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon with free lunch, games, raffles, face painting, and other activities. Representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture and the New York State Education Department attended the event, along with Albany County Executive Michael Breslin, representatives from the Nutrition Consortium of New York State, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, and various other local officials and organizations.

All summer long, Albany children have been enjoying free meals through the Summer Food Service Program at various locations throughout the city. To address childhood hunger in the summer, the federally funded Summer Food Service Program allows schools, local government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to provide nutritious meals at no charge to children age 18 and younger. The program is administered through the United States Department of Agriculture and the New York State Education Department.

At Sheridan Park, the Regional Food Bank and Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless partner to operate a summer meal site. The Nutrition Consortium of New York State, a statewide anti-hunger organization, joined with these organizations to coordinate the “Summer Food Celebration” event, in order to raise awareness about the Summer Food Service Program and other nutrition assistance programs for children. The timing of the event reflects an opportunity in the coming months to improve nutrition assistance programs for children through federal legislation.

“The Nutrition Consortium of New York State commends the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless for operating this wonderful Summer Food Service Program meal site for Albany children. Through the upcoming Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2009, which is an opportunity to improve in-school and out-of-school nutrition programs for children, Congress must include measures that will help expand the reach of these programs to serve more needy children. It is also important to increase funding for these programs, so that more healthy foods can be included in the meals, and that measures are taken to streamline and simplify program administration,” said Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of New York State.

Mark Quant, Executive Director of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, said, “During the school year, many children from low-income families depend on the free and reduced-price meals they receive at school. When the summer months arrive, and school meals are no longer available, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York sees an increase in the number of families with children coming to our member agency food pantries and soup kitchens. To address this increased need, the Food Bank provides free meals to children at Sheridan Park and other locations throughout the region through the Summer Food Service Program. Now in our second year of the program, we believe it is an important way for us to meet the needs of hungry children in the community. We know they are depending on these free meals because many of the same children come to the meal sites every day.”

“Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless is fortunate to be working with the Regional Food Bank in an effort to strengthen the summer program for youth in our neighborhood. The teamwork and positive energy between the two teams of employees makes a difference for our clients and community,” stated Janine Robitaille, Executive Director of Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless.

-END-

Join Us! Summer Food Celebration Event

PRESS ADVISORY

RELEASE DATE: Thursday, August 13, 2009

CONTACT: Casey Dinkin, Nutrition Consortium of NYS, (518) 229-8845

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FREE MEALS AND FUN FOR ALBANY CHILDREN DURING THE SUMMER

Please join our Summer Food Celebration!

WHO:

60+ children who live in the City of Albany
United States Department of Agriculture
New York State Education Department
Nutrition Consortium of NYS

Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless
State and local officials (TBD)

WHAT:

A Summer Food Celebration! This event will raise awareness of the Summer Food Service Program while providing a fun-filled afternoon for children with free lunch, games, raffles, face painting, and other activities. All summer long, Albany children have been enjoying free meals through this program at various locations throughout the city. Brief remarks by invited speakers will recognize the importance of the Summer Food Service Program, highlighting opportunities to improve this and other nutrition programs for children through upcoming federal legislation, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2009.

WHEN:

Thursday, August 13th, 2009
11:30 am – 1:00 pm, formal program at 12:30 pm

WHERE:

Sheridan Park meal site, located at the corner of Dove and Sheridan Streets in Albany

WHY:

Summer can be the hungriest time of year for low-income children, when free and reduced price school meals are no longer available. To address childhood hunger in the summer, the federally-funded Summer Food Service Program allows schools, local government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to provide nutritious meals at no charge to children age 18 and younger. At Sheridan Park, the Regional Food Bank and Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless have partnered to operate a summer meal site. The Nutrition Consortium, a statewide anti-hunger organization, has joined with these organizations to promote the Summer Food Service Program, and other nutrition assistance programs for children, through this Summer Food Celebration event.
-END-

Hunger, Nutrition Assistance Programs, and the Economic Crisis

A Note from the Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of New York State

As our nation faces the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the need for government nutrition assistance programs is greater than ever. Participation in the federally-funded Food Stamp Program, our nation’s first line of defense against hunger, is reaching record numbers. Sadly however, food insecurity and hunger persist among people of all ages. As the Nutrition Consortium of New York State, Inc. pursues its mission of alleviating hunger for all New Yorkers, we are committed to achieving the greatest possible impact on behalf of all hungry New Yorkers.

The Food Stamp Program, the nation’s largest and most far-reaching nutrition assistance program, has proven to be a fast and effective responder for people in times of crisis. This was the case in disaster situations such as Hurricane Katrina and the flooding which ravaged areas of New York State in 2006. The most recent statistics reveal that more than 2.3 million New Yorkers are receiving food stamps. Nationally, 1 in 9 people are enrolled. While the economic factors contributing to this increase are real, unfortunate and must be dealt with, our immediate focus must be on ensuring that people do not go hungry; getting people food stamps in times of need is essential.

In addition to the health and workforce productivity advantages gained from helping people put food on the table, the positive economic returns of the Food Stamp Program are significant, and being more widely acknowledged. More retailers are accepting food stamps as a means to keep their businesses afloat in the midst of a recession. The federal government, recognizing the impact of food stamps as an economic stimulus, increased benefit amounts in April as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

New York State continues to recognize the importance of enrolling eligible individuals in the federally-funded Food Stamp Program, which brings billions of federal dollars into New York’s local economies and communities every year. Implementation of the Working Families Food Stamp Initiative, the new electronic application, and expanded “categorical eligibility” are streamlining the food stamp application process and increasing the number of people who are eligible for benefits. Other new statewide initiatives are raising benefit amounts for certain populations. The Nutrition Consortium is proud of the role it has played in assisting New York’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to develop and implement these initiatives.

In addition, by maintaining $1.8 million in state funding for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP), a statewide program which operates through community-based organizations to promote the Food Stamp Program and assist eligible people complete the application process, more than 27,000 households enrolled in the Food Stamp Program last year. This brought more than $65 million in federal food stamp dollars into the state.

Still, there is ample work to be done to address the issue of hunger in New York State. A recent study by Feeding America found that 1 in 6 children under the age of 18 are food insecure in New York State—meaning that they lack consistent access to food on a regular basis. People “on the ground” at food pantries, soup kitchens, and community based-organizations are reporting huge increases in demand, with resources that aren’t keeping up. The high demand for food stamps means that clients must often wait a long period of time before their application is processed and benefits are received. There are still many things that must be done to improve access to, and participation in, the Food Stamp Program as well as the other nutrition assistance programs. Currently, large numbers of eligible people are not receiving the assistance they need. For those who do receive assistance, benefit amounts are often inadequate to keep up with increasing food prices. School and afterschool meal programs for children are underfunded, which doesn’t allow for enough healthy foods to be part of the meals. And the list goes on.

The Food Stamp Program, and other nutrition assistance programs, must be strengthened to provide a sufficient response to hunger. In the Nutrition Consortium’s newly-released “Campaign for a Hunger-Free New York” public policy priorities, we outline specific goals and recommendations for public policy changes that will reduce hunger in New York State. The state and federal government, advocates, community based organizations, and community members need to work together to meet the nutritional needs of vulnerable people so that no one faces the despair of hunger, ever. Despite these challenging economic times, our nation and state still possess the resources to ensure that no one goes hungry.

As an organization that supports those who are working “on the ground” to assist people with meeting their food needs, the Nutrition Consortium is doing everything we can to ensure that our work is as efficient and effective as possible. We are updating all systems and processes, and increasing our technology and web-based presence, to better serve our colleagues, partners, and friends. This new e-newsletter is one way we are moving forward to better serve the anti-hunger effort in NYS. We will soon be introducing topic specific “news digests” for more in-depth information about the Food Stamp Program, child nutrition programs, and senior nutrition assistance programs. Additionally, our website and blog, launched at the beginning of the year, are frequently updated with the latest information about hunger, nutrition assistance programs, outreach, legislation, and advocacy opportunities.

On the topic of advocacy, the Nutrition Consortium is currently working with the NYS congressional delegation and partners across the state to support the upcoming Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2009. This is an opportunity to strengthen the nutrition assistance safety net for children. Part of the solution to hunger is ensuring that children have the ability to access three nutritious meals a day, in the places where they learn and play. Through the upcoming Reauthorization, the Nutrition Consortium is advocating for funding increases, uniform nutritional standards, measures that will increase the number of low-income children who receive meals, and administrative simplification for the programs. We hope that you will join our Child Nutrition Reauthorization Coalition and support this important legislation, with a focus on addressing the needs of low-income children and supporting their ability to learn and grow to their fullest potential.

Lastly, we would like to invite those who hail from the greater Capital Region and Hudson Valley to join the Nutrition Consortium of New York State at our first fundraising event at Mexican Radio restaurant in Hudson, NY. On September 24th, 2009, Mexican Radio restaurant will donate 25% of your bill to support the Nutrition Consortium’s “Campaign for a Hunger-Free New York.” Please join us for some delicious Mexican fare at a beautiful venue, to support a very worthy cause.

Thank you for your support and contributions to the anti-hunger effort in New York State. We look forward to continuing this very important work together.

Sincerely,


Linda P. Bopp, Executive Director
Nutrition Consortium of NYS

"Back-to-School Bonus" for NY's Low-Income Children

The New York Times reports:

"A $35 million gift from George Soros, the financier and philanthropist, will allow for a $200 back-to-school bonus for each of more than 850,000 low-income children in New York State this fall, state officials said on Friday.

The $175 million in bonuses are also funded by $140 million from the federal government under a four-to-one matching program for needy families created by the stimulus package.

Children in New York State eligible to receive the money must have been from ages 3 to 17 as of last Saturday, and their families must have received food stamps or have been on welfare in July. The money will be directly transferred into their families’ welfare or food stamp accounts."

Click here for the full NY Times article.

Click here for a FAQ about the "Back to School Supplement" from NYS OTDA.

Click here for a press release from Governor Paterson.

Topic-Specific News Digests for the Food Stamp Program, Child Nutrition Programs, and Senior Nutrition Assistance Programs

Do you have a specific interest in the Food Stamp Program, child nutrition programs, or nutrition assistance programs for older adults? In the coming months, the Nutrition Consortium will be introducing topic-specific news digests for each of these three topic areas. If, in the past, you have received invitations to the child nutrition, senior nutrition, or food stamp workgroups, you will automatically receive the digest for the topic area(s) for which you received workgroup invitations. If you were not on the workgroup invitation list(s) and would like to receive one or more of the topic-specific digests, please email us and let us know which digest(s) you would like to receive (Food Stamp, Child Nutrition, or Senior Nutrition Assistance Programs).

End Childhood Hunger by 2015

From the Food Research and Action Center's (FRAC) new website:

www.endingchildhunger2015.org

During the 2008 campaign, Barack Obama announced a goal of of ending childhood hunger in America by the year 2015. Since taking office, President Obama, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and other members of the Administration have reiterated that commitment.

FRAC has set out seven essential strategies in "Ending Childhood Hunger by 2015: The Essential Strategies for Achieving the President's Goal". They focus both on improving and expanding the nation’s nutrition programs, and bolstering the economy and strengthening supports for working families in order to move more out of poverty, the root cause of hunger in this country.

In brief, the seven strategies are:

-Restore economic growth and create jobs with better wages for lower-income workers.
-Raise the incomes of the lowest-income families.
-Strengthen the SNAP/Food Stamp Program.
-Strengthen Child Nutrition Programs.
-Engage the entire federal government in ending childhood hunger.
-Work with states, localities and nonprofits to expand and improve participation in federal nutrition programs.
-Make sure all families have convenient access to reasonably priced, healthy food.

More information on the strategies can be found in the FRAC paper.

“As a nation, we can and must reach this critically important goal of eradicating childhood hunger,” said Jim Weill, FRAC president. “President Obama made this a campaign pledge and his administration has re-committed itself to making sure all children are well fed each day. That will also mean healthier, better educated children with brighter futures. This paper outlines a realistic strategy for accomplishing the goal.”

“The Obama Administration takes the 2015 commitment seriously, and it is incumbent on the rest of us – members of Congress, governors, other public officials, anti-hunger advocates, faith-based institutions, child advocates, business, labor, and service providers – to do so as well,” Weill said.

Farm Stands Accept Food Stamps in New Pilot Program

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) recently announced a pilot program that will help families in need access fresh, local and nutritious produce at farm stands in Chautauqua and Wayne Counties. The program enables farm stands that up until now lacked the capability to accept and process Food Stamps. Here is the full press release from OTDA:http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/news/2009/2009-07-08.asp

Local Farmers' Markets Accepting EBT Cards!

Farmers' markets across NYS are now accepting the EBT cards. EBT = Electronic Benefit Transfer; instead of the paper food stamp coupons that were used in the past, food stamps are now issued on EBT cards, which are used like ATM or debit cards.

Here are the farmers' market locations where EBT cards are accepted:

http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/ebt.htm

EBT cardholders can use their card at these farmers' markets to obtain wooden tokens, which are used to purchase food stamp eligible items. At the day's end, farmers redeem their tokens with the market manager.

This effective new system generates more business for farmers' markets, and more opportunities for food stamp recipients to purchase fresh, healthy and local food!

School Breakfast Report in the Media

The Nutrition Consortium's new report "Shine with School Breakfast" was featured in the Legislative Gazette and on WAMC.

Food for thought in school breakfast study

The Times Union ran a front-page article about the Nutrition Consortium's new study on the School Breakfast Program in NYS.

Nutrition Consortium Releases New Report on School Breakfast Program in NYS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Casey Dinkin
Nutrition Consortium of NYS
(518) 436-8757 x22
(518) 229-8845 (blackberry)
(518) 427-7992 (fax)
casey.dinkin@nutritionconsortium.org
www.nutritionconsortium.org

School Breakfast in NYS a Boost to Academics, Economics, But Not Enough Children Are Taking Part, Says Anti-Hunger Organization in New Report
Congressman Paul Tonko and other officials urge action to increase the number of children receiving school breakfast, which boosts academic performance, helps families stretch food budgets, and brings federal dollars into NYS

Albany, NY, 5/26/09 — The Nutrition Consortium of NYS, a statewide anti-hunger organization, released a new report today on the School Breakfast Program in NYS. Congressman Paul Tonko and other state and local officials joined the Nutrition Consortium to discuss “Shine With School Breakfast,” which details the numerous academic, economic, and health benefits of the federally-funded School Breakfast Program.

The report documents a low school breakfast participation rate among New York State’s schoolchildren, and provides recommendations for federal, state, and local measures that should be taken to increase the number of children who receive breakfast at school. “Shine With School Breakfast” highlights successful new initiatives that have more than doubled student participation in school breakfast, such as New York City SchoolFood’s breakfast in the classroom initiative, and Troy City School District’s “grab and go” breakfast program.

Congressman Paul Tonko, Representative from New York’s 21st District, said, “The School Breakfast Program provides essential morning nutrition to more than 400,000 students across New York State, but unfortunately that’s only a small percentage of the children who could benefit from this important program, especially during these challenging economic times. Through the federal Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, I am proposing legislation that will give schools incentives to increase participation in school breakfast, through proven methods such as classroom breakfast and “grab and go.” These successful models, which get breakfast to 50 and 60% of students, rather than the state average of less than 20%, need to be replicated through the state and the rest of the nation.”

Frances O’Donnell, Coordinator for the New York State Education Department Child Nutrition Administration, said, “When a child arrives at school hungry, his or her readiness to learn is compromised. Breakfast at school helps to ensure that all children are prepared to face classroom challenges and should be perceived as a viable tool in improving school performance. The New York State Education Department continues to promote breakfast through our ‘Think Breakfast’ Campaign, which reaches thousands of students throughout the state with positive messages about breakfast.”

According to Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of NYS, “At a time when so many families across the state are struggling to make ends meet, the School Breakfast Program offers a healthy, affordable option to ensure children begin their school day without hunger. If the family meets income requirements, children can receive breakfast for free or at a reduced price. Unfortunately only 17% of students in New York State participate in the program due to factors such as lack of awareness, scheduling conflicts and stigma. If New York State doubled its school breakfast participation among low-income students – which happens when alternative service methods such as classroom breakfast are implemented – this federally-funded program would not only alleviate hunger for more students, but it would bring at least an additional $56 million in federal reimbursement dollars into the state’s economy.”

J.W. Gayle, Director of School Food Services at the City School District of Albany, said, “Hunger is a reality among the students in my district, and I see this firsthand. Many children in my district are coming to school hungry every day, and we all know that hungry kids can’t learn. The School Breakfast Program is critical to making sure students have the nutrition they need for a day of learning. Through collaborative efforts and support from teachers, administrators, and the entire school community, the City School District of Albany is taking measures to ensure that all students have access to school breakfast.”


-END-

Click here to view the report: Shine with School Breakfast: A Review of the School Breakfast Program in NYS 2007-2008

14.8% of New York's Children are Food Insecure

According to a newly-released report by Feeding America, a national hunger-relief organization, 14.8% of New York's children are food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough food on a regular basis.

Read the Report

NYC Nutrition Advocates Speak About Hunger's Impact on Health

On April 28th, 2009 Social Medicine Rounds hosted four New York City food activists in a session entitled: “Feast or Famine: Building an Oasis in the Food Desert.” The speakers, two of whom represent NYC anti-hunger organizations, spoke about the struggles of many New Yorkers to access healthy food, and the corresponding negative impact on health.

NYS Anti-Hunger Champion Awards

Nutrition Consortium Honors

Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright
for Commitment to Hungry New Yorkers

The Nutrition Consortium of NYS, a statewide anti-hunger organization, honored Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at 1:00pm in the Well of the Legislative Office Building in Albany. Krueger and Wright received New York State Anti-Hunger Champion awards for their commitment and dedication to the needs of New Yorkers who struggle to put food on the table.

Community Outreach Workers Converge on Albany to Flaunt Food Stamp Success

NOEP Outreach Convention

April 22, 2009

Community workers whose efforts fight hunger and bring federal money into New York gathered on Wednesday, April 22nd from 11am- 2pm in the Well of the Legislative Office Building. Forty-five NOEP workers from across the state, whose collective achievements brought $60 million in federal food stamp dollars into NYS last year, shared stories of how NOEP, and food stamps, are changing people’s lives every day in communities across the state. They also showcased their most effective and innovative food stamp outreach.

NOEP Funding Restored in '09-'10 Budget

Nutrition Consortium of NYS Commends Governor Paterson, NYS Legislature, for Restoring Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Funding

Program brings millions of federally-funded food stamp dollars into local communities; helps hungry New Yorkers put food on the table.

Albany, NY, 4/7/09 – The Nutrition Consortium of NYS, a non-profit anti-hunger organization, commends Governor David Paterson and the NYS Legislature for restoring funding for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP), which helps eligible New York State residents enroll in the federally-funded Food Stamp Program. Last year, 25,000 new households received food stamp benefits due to NOEP. This brought more than $60 million in federally-funded food stamp dollars into New York State’s economy...(Full Press Release)

2009 School Breakfast Summit: Grow Your School Breakfast Program!

The Nutrition Consortium of NYS and the American Dairy Association & Dairy Council are pleased to announce the 2009 School Breakfast Summit: Grow Your School Breakfast Program.
We invite food service directors, district superintendants, school principals, school nurses, and other advocates of interest to this event scheduled on Wednesday, May 6th from 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm in Syracuse.

Please join us for an afternoon of free workshops on:
learning about the School Breakfast Program and how morning nutrition is helping students of all ages, increasing participation in your breakfast program by serving breakfast outside the cafeteria, garnering additional support from key players in your district, and
conducting activities to raise awareness about breakfast at school.

Good nutrition is essential to the well-being of children of all ages. Thanks to schools across the state, students in NYS are eating school meals to help them grow and learn in a positive learning environment. School breakfast provides an excellent opportunity for students to fuel up for a day of learning - studies continue to show that children who eat breakfast achieve higher test scores, have better attendance records, and cause fewer classroom behavior problems.

While breakfast is for all children at school, did you know that only 1 in 5 students throughout NYS eat breakfast at school? Children are missing out on good nutrition! Especially during these tough financial times, breakfast at school can help stretch struggling household budgets.

See flyer and registration form for additional details. Hope to see you there!

Come to the NOEP Outreach Convention -- April 22, 2009

The Nutrition Consortium is excited to announce its first NOEP Outreach Convention! It's going to be an incredible event, and we hope that many will join us. Here is the formal invitation:


Dear Anti-Hunger Partners, Advocates, Human Service Providers, Government Officials and Staff Members, and Community Members,


We cordially invite you to attend the…


Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP)
Outreach Convention

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Time: 11am-2pm (Formal Program and Awards Ceremony at 1pm)

Location: Well of the Legislative Office Building


NOEP is a valuable resource for your community and anti-hunger efforts across New York State! The NOEP Outreach Convention will feature the food stamp outreach work of NOEP organizations from around the state. Learn how people in your community can get help with applying for food stamps and other nutrition assistance programs. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with NOEP coordinators, other service providers, and advocates.
Refreshments will be provided.

Sincerely,


The Nutrition Consortium of New York State

The Nutrition Consortium of New York State is a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger for residents of New York State by expanding the availability of, access to, and use of government nutrition assistance programs through outreach, education, and advocacy.

Counties Attending:

Albany ∙ Bronx ∙ Broome ∙ Cattaraugus ∙ Chemung ∙ Cortland ∙ Delaware ∙ Erie ∙ Franklin ∙ Herkimer ∙ Jefferson ∙ Kings ∙ Lewis ∙ Madison ∙ Monroe ∙ Montgomery ∙ Nassau ∙ New York ∙ Niagara ∙ Oneida ∙ Onondaga ∙ Orange ∙ Oswego ∙ Queens ∙ Rensselaer ∙ Richmond ∙ Rockland ∙ Saratoga ∙ Schenectady ∙ Schuyler ∙ St. Lawrence ∙ Steuben ∙ Suffolk ∙ Tioga ∙ Tompkins ∙ Wayne ∙ Westchester

Notice of Funding to Help Combat Hunger in Your Local Community

The Quaker Go Project is offering $500 “Quaker Oats Go Grants” to help reduce hunger in local communities.

Visit the following website to submit a brief online application: http://quakeroats.promotions.com/gogrants/splash.do
Learn more about the Quaker Go Project: http://www.quakeroats.com/about-quaker-oats/content/go-humans-go.aspx

Notice of Funding for School Breakfast Program Expansion Available!

Notice of Funding for School Breakfast Program Expansion Available!

Action for Healthy Kids: A grant program to increase the number of children eating breakfast at school to start their day right. Available to schools that currently participate in the School Breakfast Program with greater than 50 percent eligibility for free and reduced-price meals and with a goal is to increase their average daily student participation by 25 percent.

Application deadline: April 10, 2009
Award range: $500 - $2,000

For more information, please visit:
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/whats_new.php
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/UploadFiles/School%20Breakfast%20RFP%20Final.pdf

Food Stamp Eligibility Expanded for Families With Child Care Costs

Last week, OTDA announced an exciting new change which will benefit thousands of New York's working families with significant child or dependent care costs. Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of NYS, was one of the advocates asked to speak at the press conference announcing the change. Here is the press release from OTDA:

(taken from their website at http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/news/2009/2009-03-05.asp)

Food Stamp Eligibility Expanded for Families With Child Care Costs
Thousands More Will Receive Nutritional Assistance
March 5, 2009 - Thousands of working families with significant child care costs may now qualify for nutritional benefits for the first time, due to an expansion of eligibility for the Food Stamp program, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced today.
As of March 1, OTDA raised the income eligibility level for working families with significant child and dependent care expenses from 130 percent of the federal poverty level to 200 percent. OTDA Commissioner David A. Hansell, along with Senator Velmanette Montgomery and Senator Daniel Squadron, made the announcement today at the Albany Community Action Partnership’s (ACAP) Early Learning and Head Start Center in Albany.
“By making this change, we will enable thousands of hard-working families to receive this vital support to help put food on their tables, while freeing up some of their hard-earned income for other family needs,” Commissioner Hansell said. “We remain committed to Governor Paterson’s goal of enhancing the economic security of all New Yorkers, especially in these challenging times.”
A provision in the federal Farm Bill last year removed a cap on out-of-pocket child and dependent care deductions for households receiving Food Stamps. Previously, families were limited to a maximum dependent care deduction of $175-$200 per month for each child, a limit not reflective of the actual cost of quality child care.
For example, a family of three with earned income of $2,640 per month (180 percent of poverty) paying more than $446 a month for shelter and out-of-pocket child care costs of $400 per month would be ineligible for Food Stamps without this change because its income is too high. With this change, this family will now receive $126 a month in Food Stamp benefits.
Senator Montgomery, Chair of the State Senate Committee on Children and Families, said: “No New Yorker should have to choose between feeding their family and paying for other vital living expenses. That’s why Commissioner Hansell’s work on behalf our most vulnerable citizens is so important. I applaud the Commissioner for raising the income eligibility threshold, which makes it possible for many more working families with significant child care costs to receive food stamps.”
Senator Squadron, Vice Chair of the State Senate Committee on Social Services, said: “This vital change will help thousands of working families purchase food and pay for sufficient child care. We must do everything possible to guarantee that families are able to draw on the Food Stamp program. I commend Commissioner Hansell, and I look forward to working together to further improve access and service for New York families.”
Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, Chairman of the State Assembly Standing Committee on Social Services, said: “Working families are the backbone and the lifeblood of the State of New York. By providing our working families with tangible benefits, such as food stamps and public assistance, we are able to help them transition to a life of economic security. The increase in income eligibility requirements for families with out-of-pocket child care expenses will reap great benefits for New York, bringing more people into the food stamps program and lowering the cost of living for our hardest working residents, working families with children.”
Kathy Cloutier, ACAP’s Executive Director, said: “ACAP is in a unique position to assess the true impact of OTDA’s increased eligibility requirements as we operate 15 child care and Head Start centers as well as certify applications for the Working Families Food Stamp Initiative at our outreach offices. Many of our hard-working families have applied for food stamps and have been denied because their income was too high, and yet they still struggled to feed their families. OTDA’s insightful and timely increase in eligibility and benefits will help offset the burden of child care costs and bring essential nutritional support into more homes in need.”
Carol Saginaw, Executive Director of the New York State Child Care Coordinating Council, said: “This is truly a step forward for New York’s children and their families. The change in this policy means that many low-income working parents will not have to choose between paying for child care and putting food on their family table.”
Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of New York State, Inc., said: “In this time of overwhelming need, these changes will help New York’s struggling families avoid choosing between caring for loved ones and purchasing food. Working together, with a shared commitment to help hungry New Yorkers, we can increase eligibility and maximize benefits. It’s good for families and it’s good for the State’s economy since all food stamp benefits are 100% federally funded.”
Susan C. Antos, Senior Attorney for the Empire Justice Center, said: “OTDA’s expansion of food stamp eligibility for low income workers with child care expenses will provide significant assistance to families struggling make ends meet. Even with a child care subsidy, a family of three earning $32,500 per year incurs large co-payments - as high as 17.5% of their income in many counties. This initiative helps assure that children are well fed at home and well cared for while their parents work.”
Karen Schimke, President and CEO of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, said: “Many families are paying a significant part of their income for child care. This effort will help them to have safe child care and food on the table.”
This is the latest action by OTDA to aggressively expand access to Food Stamps and to maximize benefits. The major steps already taken by OTDA to increase participation in the Food Stamp Program include:
Eliminating the resource test for nearly all Food Stamp applicants and recipients statewide, expanding eligibility, encouraging savings and supporting economic independence.
Implementing telephone rather than in-person interviews at recertification for most Food Stamp households. This reduces demands on local social service districts, eases process for participants and increases benefit continuation.
Making it easier for working families to access these vital nutritional supports by waiving finger-imaging requirements outside New York City and waiving the face-to-face application interview requirement for qualifying households.
Through the new website – myBenefits.ny.gov – residents of 15 counties can apply for Food Stamps at a location other than a department of social services office and in some cases community-based organizations involved in this effort are bringing the application process to the community – to places that employ workers that could be eligible or to locations that would likely be frequented by those eligible.
The myBenefits website also allows anyone to pre-screen themselves for Food Stamps, home energy assistance, state and federal tax credits, WIC program, EPIC program, and school breakfast and lunch programs. The site will be expanded this year to include prescreening for Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus and public assistance.
Providing a minimum HEAP payment to Food Stamp recipients living in subsidized housing and certain group situations, which provides them with the maximum Standard Utility Allowance, thus significantly increasing their food stamp benefits.

Congressman Paul Tonko Gives Floor Speech on National School Breakfast Program

Increasing participation in the National School Breakfast Program is essential to the mission of alleviating hunger in NYS. On Monday, Congressman Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) spoke to his fellow members of Congress about the importance of the School Breakfast Program, and its positive impact on student academic performance. He also spoke in support of using innovate methods of breakfast service such as breakfast in the classroom and grab-and-go to increase participation. Here is his floor speech:

(taken from http://tonko.house.gov/2009/03/ms-speaker-i-ask.shtml)


Rep. Tonko Floor Speech on National School Breakfast Program
March 9, 2009 7:46 PM
I rise to recognize the importance of the National School Breakfast Program and to express my support for the resolution by the Gentlelady from Wisconsin that we passed this evening.
School breakfast programs, particularly where breakfast is served in the classroom, have shown to increase student attentiveness, academic performance and decrease tardiness and disciplinary referrals.
Classroom breakfast programs are important because they reduce the stigma of receiving free or reduced price breakfasts and increase participation in school breakfast programs.
In my district, the Troy City School District, has adopted a grab-and-go program where kids can get their breakfast right in their hallways and bring it into the classroom to eat with their peers. These schools, particularly School 2, 12, 14 and the Carroll Hill School have all seen their breakfast participation numbers rise to 50 to 60 percent of all students in their schools, where the average elsewhere in New York is only 20 percent.
I hope that we can do around the country what Troy City School District has done in my district. In these tough economic times, we need to ensure that more students are taking advantage of school breakfast programs, and breakfast in the classroom has been shown to do just that.

Nutrition Consortium to Attend National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference

The Nutrition Consortium of NYS hits the road Sunday, March 1 through Tuesday, March 3, for the annual Anti-Hunger Policy Conference in Washington, DC, sponsored by the Food Research and Action Center and Feeding America. Dawn Secor, Misha Marvel, Rachel Rupright, and Casey Dinkin will be attending on behalf of the Nutrition Consortium. This conference serves as an opportunity to find out the latest in strategies on expanding participation in Food Stamps/SNAP and child nutrition programs, hear about successful nutrition assistance program initiatives in other states, and learn what is going on with anti-hunger policy efforts in the nation's capitol.

On Tuesday, the conference adjourns and anti-hunger advocates from across the nation bring their message to Capitol Hill. The Nutrition Consortium will be joining advocates from across NYS to meet with members of New York's delegation, encouraging them to support measures which reduce hunger for residents of our state. A key focus of these meetings will be the upcoming Child Nutrition Reauthorization, and asking for increased funding for these important child nutrition programs.