| WIC provides supplemental foods, healthcare referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding promotion and support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. | ||
| The WIC Prescreening Tool can be used to determine if you may be eligible for WIC benefits. This Prescreening Tool is not an application for WIC. To apply for WIC benefits, you must make an appointment at your WIC local agency. | ||
| This Prescreening Tool might ask you to enter the amounts of your household’s earned (wages, tips, etc.) and unearned income (child support, unemployment benefits, SSI, etc.). Before you begin, you may want to gather this information. | ||
| The WIC Prescreening Tool usually takes less than 15 minutes to complete. |
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
USDA: Online WIC Pre-screening Tool
Launched online this fall from the USDA:
AASA's New Webpage About 4 School Districts + Breakfast in the Classroom
Superintendent Leadership to Enhance and Expand the School Breakfast Program in Urban Districts
AASA has received a grant from the Walmart Foundation
to significantly increase the participation of needy children in the
national school breakfast program using alternative breakfast
strategies, as well as to increase interest, commitment and involvement
of school system leaders in the program. The grant allows AASA to work
with four urban school districts to enhance school breakfast programming.
Through a competitive process, AASA chose four districts to work with on the project. They are:
Read more about each school district's breakfast in the classroom efforts on the AASA website.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Impact of COLA Increase for Food Stamp Recipients with Social Security Income
On January 1, 2012 the Social Security Administration (SSA) will adjusts the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI), regular Social Security (SS) income and Social Security Disability Income (SSD) to reflect the increase in the cost of living (COLA). In January 2010 and 2011 there was no COLA adjustment.
Hunger Solutions New York has a new policy update that highlights the impact of this COLA adjustment for seniors and disabled people who receive food stamp benefits or who are currently NYSNIP recipients. The update also includes information on Medicare Part B premium changes which are also impacted by the SSI COLA change.
To veiw the memo and attachments click here.
Hunger Solutions New York has a new policy update that highlights the impact of this COLA adjustment for seniors and disabled people who receive food stamp benefits or who are currently NYSNIP recipients. The update also includes information on Medicare Part B premium changes which are also impacted by the SSI COLA change.
To veiw the memo and attachments click here.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Center for American Progress Study: Hunger is Suffering We All Pay For
From the Center for American Progress:
"Research in this paper shows that hunger costs our nation at least $167.5 billion due to the combination of lost economic productivity per year, more expensive public education because of the rising costs of poor education outcomes, avoidable health care costs, and the cost of charity to keep families fed. This $167.5 billion does not include the cost of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the other key federal nutrition programs, which run at about $94 billion a year.
We call this $167.5 billion America’s hunger bill. In 2010 it cost every citizen $542 due to the far-reaching consequences of hunger in our nation. At the household level the hunger bill came to at least $1,410 in 2010. And because our $167.5 billion estimate is based on a cautious methodology, the actual cost of hunger and food insecurity to our nation is probably higher."
According to the report, New York State had a hunger bill of $9.28 billion in 2010, a 30% increase from 2007.
Access the full report online.
"Research in this paper shows that hunger costs our nation at least $167.5 billion due to the combination of lost economic productivity per year, more expensive public education because of the rising costs of poor education outcomes, avoidable health care costs, and the cost of charity to keep families fed. This $167.5 billion does not include the cost of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the other key federal nutrition programs, which run at about $94 billion a year.
We call this $167.5 billion America’s hunger bill. In 2010 it cost every citizen $542 due to the far-reaching consequences of hunger in our nation. At the household level the hunger bill came to at least $1,410 in 2010. And because our $167.5 billion estimate is based on a cautious methodology, the actual cost of hunger and food insecurity to our nation is probably higher."
According to the report, New York State had a hunger bill of $9.28 billion in 2010, a 30% increase from 2007.
Access the full report online.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Preventing Hunger and Protecting Taxpayers: Our Renewed Efforts to Combat SNAP Fraud
From USDA Blog Posted by Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, on December 6, 2011 at 1:00 PM
In recent years, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – formerly known as food stamps – has demonstrated an exceptional record in program integrity and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The program currently serves as a bridge to success for over 46 million Americans who are at risk of being hungry when they face challenging economic times. More than half of those who rely on the program are children, elderly or the disabled, and many participants are newly unemployed and never thought they would be living in poverty. The program has never been more important and neither has the need to be a good steward of its dollars. In this vein, President Obama and Vice President Biden launched the Administration’s new Campaign to Cut Waste in government spending in June to eliminate misspent tax dollars and USDA strongly supports this effort.
Today we are reinforcing this commitment, strengthening our resolve to ensure program integrity and working on behalf of American taxpayers to protect the federal investment in SNAP and make sure the program is targeted towards those families who need it the most. While we recognize that fraud occurs relatively infrequently in SNAP, it has great potential to undermine public confidence in government and jeopardize the ability of the program to serve the millions of struggling families who rely on benefits each month.
Thankfully, the vast majority of SNAP recipients are honest people who spend their benefits to meet basic nutritional needs and to put food on the table. Data shows that illegal activity – such as selling benefits to others for cash – only affects roughly one cent on the dollar. Still, we cannot tolerate even the smallest abuse of taxpayer resources. That’s why we have implemented aggressive strategies to continue to improve SNAP integrity.
We actively investigate illegal activity so that we can remove any violators from the program. In fiscal year 2010 investigations of individuals and retailers resulted in over 44,000 persons being disqualified from SNAP and 931 retailers being permanently barred from accepting benefits. Going forward, we’re seeking to increase sanctions and penalties for retailers who engage in fraudulent activity and we’re using the regulatory process to fight the practice of buying and discarding food just to get money-back deposits.
By using state-of-the-art technology, our data-mining and analysis strategies are successfully identifying suspicious patterns in SNAP transactions. We’re already working on our next-generation system which will be even more effective. We’re aware that social media monitoring is also important to our efforts to prevent abuse in the program. For example, we recently updated our policies to make it very clear that advertising the sale of benefits through social media is illegal.
Again, cases of abuse in SNAP are relatively rare. But it’s important that we work to combat any amount of fraud. That means being aggressive in our investigations and working with our State partners who administer the program to remain vigilant and ensure that program benefits are used as intended. I’m proud to say that USDA takes protecting taxpayer dollars very seriously and we are on the job 24 hours a day to make sure others do too.
To veiw the USDA blog
USDA Press Release Annoucing New Tactics to Combat Fraud
In recent years, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – formerly known as food stamps – has demonstrated an exceptional record in program integrity and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The program currently serves as a bridge to success for over 46 million Americans who are at risk of being hungry when they face challenging economic times. More than half of those who rely on the program are children, elderly or the disabled, and many participants are newly unemployed and never thought they would be living in poverty. The program has never been more important and neither has the need to be a good steward of its dollars. In this vein, President Obama and Vice President Biden launched the Administration’s new Campaign to Cut Waste in government spending in June to eliminate misspent tax dollars and USDA strongly supports this effort.
Today we are reinforcing this commitment, strengthening our resolve to ensure program integrity and working on behalf of American taxpayers to protect the federal investment in SNAP and make sure the program is targeted towards those families who need it the most. While we recognize that fraud occurs relatively infrequently in SNAP, it has great potential to undermine public confidence in government and jeopardize the ability of the program to serve the millions of struggling families who rely on benefits each month.
Thankfully, the vast majority of SNAP recipients are honest people who spend their benefits to meet basic nutritional needs and to put food on the table. Data shows that illegal activity – such as selling benefits to others for cash – only affects roughly one cent on the dollar. Still, we cannot tolerate even the smallest abuse of taxpayer resources. That’s why we have implemented aggressive strategies to continue to improve SNAP integrity.
We actively investigate illegal activity so that we can remove any violators from the program. In fiscal year 2010 investigations of individuals and retailers resulted in over 44,000 persons being disqualified from SNAP and 931 retailers being permanently barred from accepting benefits. Going forward, we’re seeking to increase sanctions and penalties for retailers who engage in fraudulent activity and we’re using the regulatory process to fight the practice of buying and discarding food just to get money-back deposits.
By using state-of-the-art technology, our data-mining and analysis strategies are successfully identifying suspicious patterns in SNAP transactions. We’re already working on our next-generation system which will be even more effective. We’re aware that social media monitoring is also important to our efforts to prevent abuse in the program. For example, we recently updated our policies to make it very clear that advertising the sale of benefits through social media is illegal.
Again, cases of abuse in SNAP are relatively rare. But it’s important that we work to combat any amount of fraud. That means being aggressive in our investigations and working with our State partners who administer the program to remain vigilant and ensure that program benefits are used as intended. I’m proud to say that USDA takes protecting taxpayer dollars very seriously and we are on the job 24 hours a day to make sure others do too.
To veiw the USDA blog
USDA Press Release Annoucing New Tactics to Combat Fraud
Thursday, December 8, 2011
New Report from NYC Coalition Against Hunger: Child Hunger On the Rise
From the New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH):
"New analysis of recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, conducted by the New York City Coalition Against Hunger and released today in their annual citywide hunger report, found that nearly 500,000 city children, or one in four, live in families that cannot afford an adequate supply of food – what the government calls “food insecure.” The Coalition’s calculations also showed that one in six New York City residents, 1.47 million New Yorkers, live in food insecurity, struggling against hunger.
A separate survey of New York City soup kitchens and food pantries, also included in the Coalition’s report, found that even as demand at city food pantries and soup kitchens grew by 12 percent this year – on top of a seven percent increase in 2010 and a 21 increase in 2009. In 2011, nearly fifty of these strapped emergency feeding programs closed their doors due, in part, to government cut-backs and decreases in private donations."
FRAC: Spending on Food by Tens of Millions of Americans Drops to Unhealthy Level
From the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC):
"A new analysis of federal data by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) finds that more
and more Americans have been losing the struggle to afford an adequate
and healthy diet. Food spending by the average household fell
dramatically over the past decade, with particularly dramatic drops in
2000-2002 and 2006-2010.
FRAC
analyzed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) annual reports that
compare the amount of households’ median spending on food to the amount
of the Thrifty Food Plan – the level the government defines as needed
for a bare bones diet on an emergency basis, albeit a level that many
experts consider to be inadequate for most families to obtain a healthy
diet. The FRAC analysis found that:
- Spending on food by the median household fell from 1.36 times the Thrifty Food Plan level in 2000 to 1.19 times that level in 2010.
- By 2010 median spending on food by Black households and Hispanic households
had fallen to the point where it was only a tiny bit above (101
percent for Black households) or was actually below (96 percent for
Hispanic households) the bare bones Thrifty level.
- Spending by households with incomes less than 185 percent of the poverty level fell from 106 percent of the thrifty level in 2000 to 95 percent in 2010.
This
dramatically reduced spending on food would not be so problematic if
households were still spending amounts adequate to obtain a healthy
diet. FRAC’s analysis shows that they are not: indeed, the median
spending of all households has fallen below the amount of the
government’s Low-Cost Food Plan, which is a much more realistic measure
of spending to support health and well-being."
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Opinion Piece: Food for thought
Here's a great opinion piece posted on the Albany Times Union blog, The Observation Deck. the post highlights the rising need for food assistance in the Capital Region and how the Farm Bill can help.
Food for thought
December 4, 2011 at 6:00 am by TU Editorial Board
Our opinion: The needy and the hungry are more dependent than ever on others’ help. Food pantries are only a short-term solution.
This is what it’s like in the trenches of the battle to spare the hardest-hit victims of a horrible economy from outright misery. This is a story of trying to feed people.
In Schenectady, the word comes from a food pantry that the reality of the need that arises in an era of stubbornly high unemployment, mortgage foreclosures, escalating consumer debt and, yes, soaring food prices goes beyond the emergency provisions that charities can provide.
“Food pantries have become a fabric of our emergency safety net, and we deal with people who have chronic emergencies,” says the Rev. Phillip Grigsby, director of the Schenectady Inner City Ministry. “People don’t have enough money to live on.”
So he and his colleagues at similar entities employ the logical remedies. They are increasing, yet again, the number of times people can come to receive emergency food allotments designed to last all of three days. It used to be four times a year. Come January, it will be once a month.
Such anecdotes and examples reverberate across the Capital Region. So what can be done to help people who literally lack enough to eat, let alone maintain a healthy diet?
The availability of emergency provisions, funded statewide to the tune of $29 million a year, is at once essential yet incomplete.
There is a solution. Congress will be taking up the farm bill next year. Legislation that’s renewed just once every five years is an opportunity to reduce hunger and improve public health.
About 70 percent of what’s tentatively budgeted at $98.1 billion goes toward the food stamp program. The increased frequency of visits to food pantries is ample evidence that even $70 billion isn’t enough.
This is what it’s like in the trenches of the battle to spare the hardest-hit victims of a horrible economy from outright misery. This is a story of trying to feed people.
In Schenectady, the word comes from a food pantry that the reality of the need that arises in an era of stubbornly high unemployment, mortgage foreclosures, escalating consumer debt and, yes, soaring food prices goes beyond the emergency provisions that charities can provide.
“Food pantries have become a fabric of our emergency safety net, and we deal with people who have chronic emergencies,” says the Rev. Phillip Grigsby, director of the Schenectady Inner City Ministry. “People don’t have enough money to live on.”
So he and his colleagues at similar entities employ the logical remedies. They are increasing, yet again, the number of times people can come to receive emergency food allotments designed to last all of three days. It used to be four times a year. Come January, it will be once a month.
Such anecdotes and examples reverberate across the Capital Region. So what can be done to help people who literally lack enough to eat, let alone maintain a healthy diet?
The availability of emergency provisions, funded statewide to the tune of $29 million a year, is at once essential yet incomplete.
There is a solution. Congress will be taking up the farm bill next year. Legislation that’s renewed just once every five years is an opportunity to reduce hunger and improve public health.
About 70 percent of what’s tentatively budgeted at $98.1 billion goes toward the food stamp program. The increased frequency of visits to food pantries is ample evidence that even $70 billion isn’t enough.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Upcoming Webinars: It's Not Too Early to Think About Summer Food
Register today for upcoming free webinars about the Summer Food Service Program:
USDA
Summer Webinar Series: USDA is hosting a series of introductory
webinars on the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) beginning in December and
running through February. The webinar gives an overview of SFSP, offers
resources for getting started, and discusses outreach practices to grow the
program. Click
here for details.
New Grant Aims to Convince More Syracuse Students to Eat Breakfast at School
From the Syracuse Post-Standard, 11/30/2011:
"Syracuse is one of four school districts in the country to land a roughly $400,000 grant to entice more kids to eat the free breakfasts offered to them at school.
High school students soon will be able to use their identification swipe cards to get a bagged breakfast from a vending machine instead of partaking of the hot meals served in the cafeteria. And elementary students will be able to eat their breakfast in their classroom instead of the cafeteria."
Read the full article here.
"Syracuse is one of four school districts in the country to land a roughly $400,000 grant to entice more kids to eat the free breakfasts offered to them at school.
High school students soon will be able to use their identification swipe cards to get a bagged breakfast from a vending machine instead of partaking of the hot meals served in the cafeteria. And elementary students will be able to eat their breakfast in their classroom instead of the cafeteria."
Read the full article here.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Federal Budget Update, FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations
On November 18th, President Obama signed HR 2112 into law, which provides funding to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and essential nutrition assistance programs.
The bill provides a total of $136.6 billion in funding for nutrition programs and efforts related to SNAP/Food Stamp Program, school meals, Summer Food Service Program, WIC, emergency food, farm to school, and more.
Regarding school nutrition, the bill limits the USDA's authority on the final rule regarding school meal improvement, modifying and/or limiting various recommendations from the Institute of Medicine.
Read more from the Food Research and Action Center, including a summary of funding levels for each program and a budget analysis.
NY Times: Line Grows Long for Free Meals at U.S. Schools
From the New York Times:
"Millions of American schoolchildren are receiving free or low-cost meals for the first time as their parents, many once solidly middle class, have lost jobs or homes during the economic crisis, qualifying their families for the decades-old safety-net program."
"In New York, the Gates Chili school district west of Rochester has lost 700 students since 2007-8, as many families have fled the area after mass layoffs. But over those same four years, the subsidized lunch program has added 125 mouths, many of them belonging to the children of Kodak and Xerox managers and technicians who once assumed they had a lifetime job, said Debbi Beauvais, district supervisor of the meals program.
“Parents signing up children say, ‘I never thought a program like this would apply to me and my kids,’ ” Ms. Beauvais said."
Read the full article here.
"Millions of American schoolchildren are receiving free or low-cost meals for the first time as their parents, many once solidly middle class, have lost jobs or homes during the economic crisis, qualifying their families for the decades-old safety-net program."
"In New York, the Gates Chili school district west of Rochester has lost 700 students since 2007-8, as many families have fled the area after mass layoffs. But over those same four years, the subsidized lunch program has added 125 mouths, many of them belonging to the children of Kodak and Xerox managers and technicians who once assumed they had a lifetime job, said Debbi Beauvais, district supervisor of the meals program.
“Parents signing up children say, ‘I never thought a program like this would apply to me and my kids,’ ” Ms. Beauvais said."
Read the full article here.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Rise in Veterans and Military Families Seeking Food Assistance
Coming off of Veterans Day, two reports have come out highlighting the rising struggles of our veterans and military families. Stars and Stripes reports that food stamp use at military commissaries is up sharply from four years ago. Nearly $88 million worth of groceries were purchased using food stamps at military commissaries in 2011, more than double the amount spent in 2008, according to the Defense Commissary Agency.
Additionally, the Food Bank for New York City reports on a similar rise in need among veterans. According to their report, From the Front Lines to the Bread Lines: Food Poverty Among Veterans, veterans’ households are making a range of sacrifices in order to make ends meet: more than 1 in 10 are unable to buy food because of rent or utilities; many more are reducing the quantity and quality of food they are purchasing. Further, the data show more than one third of veteran households would not be able to afford food for their families within three months of losing their household income.
Connect struggling veterans and military families to their local Nutrition Outreach and Education Program.
Additionally, the Food Bank for New York City reports on a similar rise in need among veterans. According to their report, From the Front Lines to the Bread Lines: Food Poverty Among Veterans, veterans’ households are making a range of sacrifices in order to make ends meet: more than 1 in 10 are unable to buy food because of rent or utilities; many more are reducing the quantity and quality of food they are purchasing. Further, the data show more than one third of veteran households would not be able to afford food for their families within three months of losing their household income.
Connect struggling veterans and military families to their local Nutrition Outreach and Education Program.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
2011 Food Stamp Prescreening Guide Now Available
The October 2011 version of "FOOD STAMPS IN NYS: An Elgibility Prescreening Guide" is now available on our website. This year's web version includes new tools for navigating the document and many links to additional resources.
This guide is designed for community based organizations, advocates and volunteers who are working with low-income families. The guide will help you determine if a family/individual may be eligible to recieve food stamp benefits. It is a great tool for those helping families/individuals in applying for the Food Stamp Program. The guide also provides detailed information on how to calculate an estimated food stamp benefit allotment for a family/individual.
Due to financial restraints we cannot provide printed copies of this guide, as we have in past years.
For questions concerning information in the guide please contact Dawn Secor, Food Stamp Specialist at dawn.secor@hungersolutionsny.org or by calling 518-436-8757 x 112.
This guide is designed for community based organizations, advocates and volunteers who are working with low-income families. The guide will help you determine if a family/individual may be eligible to recieve food stamp benefits. It is a great tool for those helping families/individuals in applying for the Food Stamp Program. The guide also provides detailed information on how to calculate an estimated food stamp benefit allotment for a family/individual.
Due to financial restraints we cannot provide printed copies of this guide, as we have in past years.
For questions concerning information in the guide please contact Dawn Secor, Food Stamp Specialist at dawn.secor@hungersolutionsny.org or by calling 518-436-8757 x 112.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
USDA Warning about Phony SNAP Application Assistance
Urgent Notice From USDA
SCAM Alert:
SCAMMERS OFFER PHONY SNAP APPLICATION ASSISTANCE
There have been reports of individuals placing ads on the internet, sometimes located on the side of legitimate articles, offering assistance for filling out SNAP applications.
The links will take you to another website where you may be asked to provide personal information, including credit card information. Do NOT provide this information. It can be used to allow other individuals to make unauthorized purchases on your credit card, or gain access to your bank accounts.
If you see any ad on the internet offering SNAP application assistance with a corresponding link, don’t click on it. Never provide any personal information, including credit card information on an unsecure Web Site. SNAP employees or service providers will never ask you for credit card information or for anything not on your State Agency application.
If you have already fallen victim to this or a similar scam, contact your credit card company immediately. You may also choose to file a police report. For more information on identity theft, please visit: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/ .
SCAM Alert:
SCAMMERS OFFER PHONY SNAP APPLICATION ASSISTANCE
There have been reports of individuals placing ads on the internet, sometimes located on the side of legitimate articles, offering assistance for filling out SNAP applications.
The links will take you to another website where you may be asked to provide personal information, including credit card information. Do NOT provide this information. It can be used to allow other individuals to make unauthorized purchases on your credit card, or gain access to your bank accounts.
If you see any ad on the internet offering SNAP application assistance with a corresponding link, don’t click on it. Never provide any personal information, including credit card information on an unsecure Web Site. SNAP employees or service providers will never ask you for credit card information or for anything not on your State Agency application.
If you have already fallen victim to this or a similar scam, contact your credit card company immediately. You may also choose to file a police report. For more information on identity theft, please visit: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/ .
USDA: At-Risk Afterschool Meal Handbook
Afterschool care settings located in high-need areas may qualify to serve snacks and/or suppers at no charge to children.
Learn more from a June 2011 USDA publication, "At-Risk Afterschool Meals: A Child and Adult Care Food Program Handbook"
Learn more from a June 2011 USDA publication, "At-Risk Afterschool Meals: A Child and Adult Care Food Program Handbook"
Determining Foods Covered Under Nutrition Assistance Programs is Not Always a SNAP
From The Network for Public Health Law:
"The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is under the microscope lately. People are debating about what foods and beverages should be eligible for SNAP benefits, and which businesses should be eligible to accept SNAP benefits. USDA recently updated the website page where it describes the foods eligible for SNAP. It’s not entirely surprising that SNAP is attracting more scrutiny. Use of SNAP has increased by about 50 percent during the recession to over 45 million Americans in July, 2011.
...Can we end hunger and malnutrition and eliminate obesity and diet-related disease? Are there ideas on which the public health and anti-hunger communities can agree?"
Read more of the blog posting here.
"The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is under the microscope lately. People are debating about what foods and beverages should be eligible for SNAP benefits, and which businesses should be eligible to accept SNAP benefits. USDA recently updated the website page where it describes the foods eligible for SNAP. It’s not entirely surprising that SNAP is attracting more scrutiny. Use of SNAP has increased by about 50 percent during the recession to over 45 million Americans in July, 2011.
...Can we end hunger and malnutrition and eliminate obesity and diet-related disease? Are there ideas on which the public health and anti-hunger communities can agree?"
Read more of the blog posting here.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
October Snow Storm, Power Outages and Replacement Food Stamp Benefits
With hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers still without power after a surprise snow storm hit much of the Hudson Valley, Hunger Solutions New York wants to inform food stamp recipients that if they have lost food purchased with their EBT card due to a power outage of more than 4 hours, they may be eligible for replacement food stamp benefits.
The recent snow storm has left many people in the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas without power for several days. Losing power for extended periods of time can result in food spoilage. If food stamp recipients lost food that they purchased with their food stamp benefits, they should contact their local food stamp office immediately. If they are eligible, households will need to fill out a form in order to receive replacement food stamp benefits, but they must report the loss as soon as possible.
A flyer is now available for community organizations to help spread the word.
The form needed to request replacement benefits is available to download.
The recent snow storm has left many people in the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas without power for several days. Losing power for extended periods of time can result in food spoilage. If food stamp recipients lost food that they purchased with their food stamp benefits, they should contact their local food stamp office immediately. If they are eligible, households will need to fill out a form in order to receive replacement food stamp benefits, but they must report the loss as soon as possible.
A flyer is now available for community organizations to help spread the word.
The form needed to request replacement benefits is available to download.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
New: Factsheets About Children in Foster Care, Temporary Housing and Free School Meals
New factsheets are now available regarding certain students who are categorically eligible for free school meals.
Visit our "Child Nutrition Center/Related Tools and Resources" page for more information or view the factsheets directly:
Key Information for Lawyers and Child Advocates about Foster Child Eligibility for Free School Meals and Other Government Nutrition Programs
Students in Temporary Housing & Free School Meals
Visit our "Child Nutrition Center/Related Tools and Resources" page for more information or view the factsheets directly:
Key Information for Lawyers and Child Advocates about Foster Child Eligibility for Free School Meals and Other Government Nutrition Programs
Students in Temporary Housing & Free School Meals
FRAC: 11/3 Webinar About Afterschool Snack and Supper Program
From the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC):
Join us for a webinar on operating the Afterschool Meal Program on weekends and during school holidays. Children need healthy meals when school is out for the weekend or during school holidays. Learn ways to incorporate meals into your weekend program and how you can successfully serve children during school holidays.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
1:00 - 2:00 PM Eastern
Visit the FRAC website for more information and to register
Join us for a webinar on operating the Afterschool Meal Program on weekends and during school holidays. Children need healthy meals when school is out for the weekend or during school holidays. Learn ways to incorporate meals into your weekend program and how you can successfully serve children during school holidays.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
1:00 - 2:00 PM Eastern
Visit the FRAC website for more information and to register
Monday, October 17, 2011
Action for For Healthy Kids Webinar: 10/27 School Breakfast Basics
From Action for Healthy Kids:
School Breakfast Basics – Making the Case and Making It Work (webinar #1 in a series of 5)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Time: 4:00-5:00pm ET
This session is designed to bring school breakfast beginners up to speed. Participants will gain a better understanding of the operation, funding, and benefits of the federal School Breakfast Program. You will leave the webinar with resources and next steps for improving school breakfast in your community.
This is a great webinar for anyone who is unfamiliar with the School Breakfast Program but wants to help ensure that all students are well nourished and ready to learn. We welcome any and all participants, including parents, teachers, principals, food vendors, advocates, and district administrators.
Hear from experts at the Food Research and Action Center, California Food Policy Advocates (The BreakfastFirst Campaign), and districts with successful school breakfast programs.
Click here to learn more and register online
School Breakfast Basics – Making the Case and Making It Work (webinar #1 in a series of 5)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Time: 4:00-5:00pm ET
This session is designed to bring school breakfast beginners up to speed. Participants will gain a better understanding of the operation, funding, and benefits of the federal School Breakfast Program. You will leave the webinar with resources and next steps for improving school breakfast in your community.
This is a great webinar for anyone who is unfamiliar with the School Breakfast Program but wants to help ensure that all students are well nourished and ready to learn. We welcome any and all participants, including parents, teachers, principals, food vendors, advocates, and district administrators.
Hear from experts at the Food Research and Action Center, California Food Policy Advocates (The BreakfastFirst Campaign), and districts with successful school breakfast programs.
Click here to learn more and register online
Improving School Meal Standards: No Time to Go Backward
This week, the US Senate will be reviewing funding for Agriculture Appropriations. Up for debate is an amendment urging the USDA to revisit the proposed school meal standards. This means possibly delaying or suspending the proposed standards, and/or creating a new set of school nutrition standards.
From the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC):
"...children – and the nation – cannot wait any longer for these changes. Poor nutrition leads to a higher risk of obesity and diet-related diseases, and hunger also produces health and educational damage."
For more information, please see the following resources from FRAC:
From the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC):
"...children – and the nation – cannot wait any longer for these changes. Poor nutrition leads to a higher risk of obesity and diet-related diseases, and hunger also produces health and educational damage."
For more information, please see the following resources from FRAC:
Summary of SFSP Participation in NYS, Summer 2010
Brentwood UFSD, Syracuse City SD Receive School Breakfast Grants
Congratulations to Brentwood UFSD and Syracuse City SD!
They are two of four urban school districts nationwide awarded funds from The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and the Walmart Foundation's Superintendent Leadership to Enhance and Expand the School Breakfast Program in Urban Districts.
Hunger Solutions New York serves on the national advisory board of this effort and looks forward to the expansion of the SBP in both school districts. Stay tuned for more information!
They are two of four urban school districts nationwide awarded funds from The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and the Walmart Foundation's Superintendent Leadership to Enhance and Expand the School Breakfast Program in Urban Districts.
Hunger Solutions New York serves on the national advisory board of this effort and looks forward to the expansion of the SBP in both school districts. Stay tuned for more information!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
USDA's Ending Childhood Hunger Video Contest
From the USDA:
Submissions must be made no later than October 21, 2011 at 11:59 PM EDT at http://endhunger.challenge.gov/submissions/new.
Get your video cameras ready to help end hunger! The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) wants you to participate in the Ending Childhood Hunger Video Contest. We invite elementary, middle/junior high, and high school students to participate in the video contest (the "Contest"), which asks the question, "What are you doing to end childhood hunger in your community?"
FNS is accepting student-created videos of two minutes or less that show current activities or innovative ideas that tackle the problem of childhood hunger. Your videos will serve to inspire other students across the country to take action on this important issue.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Cost of Hunger in New York State
The Center for American Progress released a report last week that estimates the cost of hunger in the United States to be over $167 billion. This cost includes avoidable illnesses and poor educational outcomes that occur as a result of food insecurity as well as the charitable donations for emergency food to address hunger.
The hunger bill for New York State is $9.28 billion which is an increase of 30.89 percent since 2007.
See how New York compares to other states by visiting the CAP interactive map.
The hunger bill for New York State is $9.28 billion which is an increase of 30.89 percent since 2007.
See how New York compares to other states by visiting the CAP interactive map.
Monday, October 3, 2011
More Families Eligible for the Food Stamp Program on October 1
Each October 1 the Food Stamp Program (FSP) adjusts the guidelines used to determine the amount of food stamp benefits a household will receive. Our newest policy update highlights the increases to the FSP standards and deductions for October 1, 2011.
Due to these increases in the income guidelines more families could be eligible for the Food Stamp Program as of October 1st! This includes households who previously had been slightly “over income” for food stamps.
Help with applying for the Food Stamp Program available in many communities:
There are Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinators in many communities across NYS. NOEP coordinators are available to help potentially eligible individuals and families apply for food stamp benefits by:
Due to these increases in the income guidelines more families could be eligible for the Food Stamp Program as of October 1st! This includes households who previously had been slightly “over income” for food stamps.
Help with applying for the Food Stamp Program available in many communities:
There are Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinators in many communities across NYS. NOEP coordinators are available to help potentially eligible individuals and families apply for food stamp benefits by:
- Providing confidential screening to see if the family may be eligible for the FSP.
- Assisting with completing the application including the online application.
- Answering any questions households may have.
- Working with current recipients around recertification or other issues with their food stamp case.
Find out if there is a NOEP coordinator in your community.
If you have any questions about this FSP policy update, or any other food-stamp related question, please contact Dawn Secor at (518) 436-8757, ext. 112, or by e-mailing Dawn.Secor@hungersolutionsny.org.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Replacement Food Stamp benefits extended for victims of both Irene and Lee
OTDA has instructed food stamp offices in the counties affected by both Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee to continue to accept requests for replacement of food stamp benefits even though the ten day window to report the loss has passed. The affected counties are the following:
Albany, Broome, Bronx, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Herkimer, Kings, Montgomery, Nassau, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington, and Westchester Counties.
Albany, Broome, Bronx, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Herkimer, Kings, Montgomery, Nassau, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington, and Westchester Counties.
- Food Stamp Offices in the counties listed above have been instructed to continue accepting requests for replacement of food stamp benefits due to loss of food until September 30.
- Current food stamp recipients, in the counties listed above, who lost food due to flooding or power outages during Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee are eligible to apply for replacement food stamp benefits.
- You should encourage folks to report their loss to their food stamp office ASAP.
For more information on Replacement Food Stamp Benefits see our memo on Flooding, Power Outages and Replacement Food Stamp Benefits.
A flyer is available for you to share with your clients about this important assistance available to any current food stamp recipient who has lost food due to power outages or flooding during Tropical Storm Lee. This flyer is also available in Spanish.
The form for requesting Replacement Food Stamp Benefits is available for you to download.
For More Informtion: There are Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) coordiantors in many communities across NYS. NOEP coordinators are available to help potentially eligible individuals and families apply for food stamp benefits.
NOEP coordinators can help families and individuals who may be eligible for Replacement Food Stamp Benefits by:
- Providing families with the form needed to request replacement food stamp benefits.
- Helping families complete this form, and
- Answering any questions families or community agencies may have.
Find out if there is a NOEP coordinator in your community!
Questions about replacement food stamp benefits call Hunger Solutions New York at 1-800-865-5542.Friday, September 23, 2011
DISASTER FOOD STAMP PROGRAM AVAILABLE IN COUNTIES HIT BY HURRICANE IRENE AND TROPICAL STORM LEE
There is a Disaster Food Stamp Program (DFSP) designated for the following counties:
Albany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Montgomery, Orange, Otsego, Schenectady, Schoharie, Tioga, Ulster, and Westchester.
Households needing help with food should apply for disaster food stamps at either their local disaster assistance service center or local food stamp office.
Applications deadlines for this program depend on the county and the program is available for a limited time. Households are encouraged to apply for disaster food stamp benefits as soon as possible.
Click here for more information and to download a detailed flyer with basic program guidelines.
Albany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Montgomery, Orange, Otsego, Schenectady, Schoharie, Tioga, Ulster, and Westchester.
Households needing help with food should apply for disaster food stamps at either their local disaster assistance service center or local food stamp office.
Applications deadlines for this program depend on the county and the program is available for a limited time. Households are encouraged to apply for disaster food stamp benefits as soon as possible.
Click here for more information and to download a detailed flyer with basic program guidelines.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Replacement Food Stamp Benefit Extension for Tropical Strom Lee
OTDA has instructed food stamp offices in the counties affected by Tropical Storm Lee to continue to accept requests for replacement of food stamp benefits even though the ten day window to report the loss has passed. The affected counties are the following:
- Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schenectady, and Tioga.
- Food Stamp Offices in the counties listed above have been instructed to continue accepting requests for replacement of food stamp benefits due to loss of food until further notice.
- Current food stamp recipients, in the counties listed above, who lost food due to flooding or power outages during Tropical Storm Lee are eligible to apply for replacement food stamp benefits.
- You should encourage folks to report their loss to their food stamp office ASAP.
For more information on Replacement Food Stamp Benefits see our memo on Flooding, Power Outages and Replacement Food Stamp Benefits.
A flyer is available for you to share with your clients about this important assistance available to any current food stamp recipient who has lost food due to power outages or flooding during Tropical Storm Lee. This flyer is also available in Spanish.
The form for requesting Replacement Food Stamp Benefits is available for you to download.
For More Informtion: There are Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) coordiantors in many communities across NYS. NOEP coordinators are available to help potentially eligible individuals and families apply for food stamp benefits.
NOEP coordinators can help families and individuals who may be eligible for Replacement Food Stamp Benefits by:
- Providing families with the form needed to request replacment food stamp benefits.
- Helping families complete this form, and
- Answering any questions families or community agencies may have.
Find out if there is a NOEP coordinator in your community!
Questions about replacement food stamp benefits call Hunger Solutions New York at 1-800-865-5542.Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Census Bureau Releases New Poverty Data SNAP Lifting 3.9 Million People Above Poverty Line
From our friends at FRAC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Adach, 202.986.2200 x3018
Washington, D.C. – September 13, 2011 – The Census Bureau reported today that 46.2 million people (15.1 percent) were living in poverty in 2010, up from 43.6 million in 2009. This is the largest number of Americans living in poverty since the Census Bureau started publishing these estimates in 1959.
For struggling families, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps) is making a huge difference. According to the Census Bureau, 3.9 million people – 1.7 million children – were lifted above the poverty line in 2010 under the alternative computation that counts SNAP benefits. In 2009, SNAP lifted 3.6 million people out of poverty.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual report on food insecurity showed levels of hunger and food insecurity for 2010 that were the same as 2009, although still about one-third higher than in 2007 before the recession wreaked havoc with America’s low-income and working families. The flat food insecurity rates are generally attributed to the growth in SNAP participation and the important boost in SNAP benefits that the President and Congress put in place beginning in 2009.
“SNAP lifted people out of poverty, and it helped keep hunger rates from rising. Both the poverty and hunger rates tell us that, while too many people continue to struggle, SNAP is a program that’s extremely important in helping people weather challenging times,” said FRAC President Jim Weill.
Other findings from the Census Bureau report include:
• Since 2007, the poverty rate has grown by 2.6 percentage points, from 12.5 percent in 2007 to 15.1 percent in 2010.
• Deep poverty (people living on incomes below 50 percent of the poverty line) grew from 6.3 percent (19 million people) in 2009 to 6.7 percent (20.5 million) in 2010.
• Even more telling is the increase in the number of families living below 125 percent of the poverty line, which means they are income-eligible for most federal nutrition programs. This number grew from 18.7 percent (56.8 million) in 2009 to 19.8 percent (60.4 million) in 2010.
The data further underscore the need for the President and Congress to pursue policies that spur job and economic growth and protect and improve safety net programs.
For further analysis, visit FRAC’s website.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Adach, 202.986.2200 x3018
Washington, D.C. – September 13, 2011 – The Census Bureau reported today that 46.2 million people (15.1 percent) were living in poverty in 2010, up from 43.6 million in 2009. This is the largest number of Americans living in poverty since the Census Bureau started publishing these estimates in 1959.
For struggling families, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps) is making a huge difference. According to the Census Bureau, 3.9 million people – 1.7 million children – were lifted above the poverty line in 2010 under the alternative computation that counts SNAP benefits. In 2009, SNAP lifted 3.6 million people out of poverty.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual report on food insecurity showed levels of hunger and food insecurity for 2010 that were the same as 2009, although still about one-third higher than in 2007 before the recession wreaked havoc with America’s low-income and working families. The flat food insecurity rates are generally attributed to the growth in SNAP participation and the important boost in SNAP benefits that the President and Congress put in place beginning in 2009.
“SNAP lifted people out of poverty, and it helped keep hunger rates from rising. Both the poverty and hunger rates tell us that, while too many people continue to struggle, SNAP is a program that’s extremely important in helping people weather challenging times,” said FRAC President Jim Weill.
Other findings from the Census Bureau report include:
• Since 2007, the poverty rate has grown by 2.6 percentage points, from 12.5 percent in 2007 to 15.1 percent in 2010.
• Deep poverty (people living on incomes below 50 percent of the poverty line) grew from 6.3 percent (19 million people) in 2009 to 6.7 percent (20.5 million) in 2010.
• Even more telling is the increase in the number of families living below 125 percent of the poverty line, which means they are income-eligible for most federal nutrition programs. This number grew from 18.7 percent (56.8 million) in 2009 to 19.8 percent (60.4 million) in 2010.
The data further underscore the need for the President and Congress to pursue policies that spur job and economic growth and protect and improve safety net programs.
For further analysis, visit FRAC’s website.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Replacement Food Stamp Benefit Extension for Hurricane Irene
Food Stamp Offices have been instructed by NYS to continue to take requests for replacement food stamp benefits from current food stamp recipients who lost power or experienced flooding due to Hurricane Irene and therefore lost food.
All other power outages, and flooding due to storms last Sunday 9/4, and the rain this past week are not considered part of Hurricane Irene. People experiencing flooding or power outages due to these misfortunes are also eligible to request replacement food stamp benefits under the normal processing rules (report loss within 10 days of misfortune).
For More Information: There are Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinators in many communities across NYS. NOEP coordinators are available to help potentially eligible individuals and families apply for food stamp benefits.
NOEP coordinators can help families and individuals who may be eligible for Replacement Food Stamp Benefits by:
- Providing the form for households to request Replacement Food Stamps
- Helping households complete this form, and
- Answering any questions households may have.
Find out if there is a NOEP in your community.
If you have any questions about this memo, or any other food-stamp related question, please contact me at (518) 436-8757, ext. 112, or by e-mailing Dawn.Secor@HungerSolutionsNY.org
Hurricane Irene/Flooding, Homeless Children, and School Meals
Because of the rain from Hurricane Irene and continuous flooding throughout our state, many families with school-aged children have lost their homes, are displaced, are living in temporary shelters, and/or are experiencing changes in their households.
Children from these homes may be counted as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act and therefore automatically eligible for free school meals.
Read our latest memo about homeless/displaced children and school meals.
Use our outreach flyer to let families know.
Check our website for updates about The Food Stamp Program and Replacement Food Stamps.
Children from these homes may be counted as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act and therefore automatically eligible for free school meals.
Read our latest memo about homeless/displaced children and school meals.
Use our outreach flyer to let families know.
Check our website for updates about The Food Stamp Program and Replacement Food Stamps.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
New Data Show 1 in 8 New York State Households Struggling with Hunger
Nearly 13 percent of New York households struggled with hunger on average in the years 2008-2010, according to new data released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its annual report on food insecurity.
The report covers the three years during the heart of the recession. The rate for the three-year period prior to the recession (2005-2007) was 9.9 percent. The current rate, an increase of 30 percent since 2007, highlights the deep impact the recession has had on a vast number of households.
Read our press release about the report.
The report covers the three years during the heart of the recession. The rate for the three-year period prior to the recession (2005-2007) was 9.9 percent. The current rate, an increase of 30 percent since 2007, highlights the deep impact the recession has had on a vast number of households.
Read our press release about the report.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Latest CN e-News: Back to School Resources
Check out our latest Child Nutrition e-News with information about the free and reduced-price school meal application, hunger-related funding opportunities, MyPlate resources, and more!
To join the Child Nutrition Network and receive future e-News, please sign-up on our website. Go to the right sidebar of our homepage.
In addition, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act makes it easier for school districts to connect youth in foster care to free school meals. Read the latest report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and check out strategies your school can start adopting.
To join the Child Nutrition Network and receive future e-News, please sign-up on our website. Go to the right sidebar of our homepage.
In addition, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act makes it easier for school districts to connect youth in foster care to free school meals. Read the latest report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and check out strategies your school can start adopting.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Hunger among Older Americans Spikes Nearly 80 Percent Since 2001
AARP Foundation report finds 1 in 11 Americans 50-plus at risk of hunger
Nearly 9 million Americans 50 and older face the risk of hunger, according to new research commissioned by AARP Foundation. The report, produced by James P. Ziliak of the University of Kentucky and Craig Gundersen of the University found more than nine percent of older Americans were at risk of hunger in 2009—a 79 percent increase since 2001.The report, “Food Insecurity among Older Adults,” is the first of its kind to examine this issue among people age 50 to 59—the youngest of the baby boomers. Because they are typically too young for Social Security and Medicare and too old to qualify for programs designed for families with children, this age group can be hit particularly hard in bad economic times. In 2009, 4.9 million 50- to 59-year-olds were at risk of hunger, representing a staggering 38 percent increase over 2007.
The report finds that roughly 11 percent of New yorkers age 50-59 face food insecurity.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Hurricane Irene and Replacement Food Stamp Benefits
A new memo has been posted to the Food Stamp Policy Alert page concerning Hurricane Irene and Replacement Food Stamp Benefits. Several attachments are also available including; an outreach flyer, the form needed to request replacement food stamp benefits, and the OTDA policy concerning replacement food stamps.
Due to the possible impact of Hurricane Irene, NYC and upstate communities may experience flooding and/or sustained power outages. Food stamp households that have lost food due to flooding or power outages may be eligible for Replacement Food Stamp Benefits.
There are Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinators in many communities across NYS. NOEP coordinators are available to help potentially eligible individuals and families apply for food stamp benefits.
NOEP coordinators can help families and individuals who may be eligible for Replacement Food Stamp Benefits by:
· Providing the form for households to request Replacement Stamps.
· Helping households complete the form, and
· Answering any questions households may have.
Find out if there is a NOEP coordinator in your community.
If you have any questions about this memo, or any other food-stamp related question, please contact me at (518) 436-8757, ext. 112, or by e-mail Dawn.Secor@HungerSolutionsNY.org
Due to the possible impact of Hurricane Irene, NYC and upstate communities may experience flooding and/or sustained power outages. Food stamp households that have lost food due to flooding or power outages may be eligible for Replacement Food Stamp Benefits.
There are Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinators in many communities across NYS. NOEP coordinators are available to help potentially eligible individuals and families apply for food stamp benefits.
NOEP coordinators can help families and individuals who may be eligible for Replacement Food Stamp Benefits by:
· Providing the form for households to request Replacement Stamps.
· Helping households complete the form, and
· Answering any questions households may have.
Find out if there is a NOEP coordinator in your community.
If you have any questions about this memo, or any other food-stamp related question, please contact me at (518) 436-8757, ext. 112, or by e-mail Dawn.Secor@HungerSolutionsNY.org
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
NYS Clarifies Student Eligibility Rules
There are special rules that limit eligibility for students looking to participate in the Food Stamp Program (FSP). In order to participate in the FSP a student must meet one or more of the allowable eligibility exemptions.
OTDA has released 11-INF-06 to clarify the following eligibility rules pertaining to students:
a) Students receiving Unemployment Benefits (UIB)
b) Students participating in correspondence school or online courses; and
c) Exclusion of work study income for all students.
Hunger Solutions New York has developed a memo on these clarifications.
OTDA has released 11-INF-06 to clarify the following eligibility rules pertaining to students:
a) Students receiving Unemployment Benefits (UIB)
b) Students participating in correspondence school or online courses; and
c) Exclusion of work study income for all students.
Hunger Solutions New York has developed a memo on these clarifications.
USDA Rejects Mayor Bloomberg's Plan to Ban Use of Food Stamps to Buy Soda
Federal officials on Friday rejected Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal to bar New York City’s food stamp users from buying soda and other sugary drinks with them.
While the proposal's goal is to have an impact on obesity rates, the USDA cites that the ban would be to large and complex to implement. Anti-hunger advocates argue that micromanaging the lives of poor people is not the answer and that the proposal was based on the false assumption that poor people are less capable of making healthy food choices.
For more information about hunger and obesity visit resources at the Food Research and Action Center.
While the proposal's goal is to have an impact on obesity rates, the USDA cites that the ban would be to large and complex to implement. Anti-hunger advocates argue that micromanaging the lives of poor people is not the answer and that the proposal was based on the false assumption that poor people are less capable of making healthy food choices.
For more information about hunger and obesity visit resources at the Food Research and Action Center.
Now Available: Afterschool Meals Guide
Are you an afterschool program in a high-need area looking to serve a snack and/supper to students?
Check out the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)'s new Afterschool Meals Guide to help you learn how to get started.
Or, for more information about the "At-Risk Afterschool Snack and Supper Program" in NYS, visit our website or check out this brochure from the NYS Department of Health.
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