Hunger Solutions New York Applauds State Budget: Governor Cuomo’s Initiative to Help Hungry New Yorkers Included in Final Agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2012
Contact: Alisa Costa
(518) 436-8757 x 122
alisa.costa@hungersolutionsny.org


Albany, NY – The final state budget will connect thousands more struggling New Yorkers to the Food Stamp Program. This will help hungry New Yorkers and our state’s economy.

In his 2012 State of the State Address, Governor Cuomo stated his commitment to make sure that no child in New York goes to bed hungry. In addition, he made a commitment to increase participation in the Food Stamp Program. He followed through on this commitment by increasing the state's investment in food stamp outreach and application assistance in his executive budget proposal. The New York State Legislature agreed with this investment and the increase is included in the final 2012-2013 State Budget.

"We commend Governor Cuomo for his increased investment in food stamp outreach and application assistance. We are eager to work with him to achieve his goals," said Linda Phelan Bopp. Bopp is executive director of Hunger Solutions New York, a statewide organization that manages the state and federally-funded Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP). NOEP funding was increased by $1 million in the state budget which will enable the food stamp outreach program to significantly increase its efforts across New York State.

"Governor Cuomo is to be applauded for his strong leadership that goes to the heart of the problem faced by families who need nutrition assistance across New York State," said Bill Shapiro, board chair of Hunger Solutions New York.

"On behalf of hungry New Yorkers we thank Governor Cuomo for recognizing hunger as a problem that needs to be solved and for taking action," said Bopp.

The Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP), operated through community-based organizations, provides food stamp outreach, education and application assistance. Community-based outreach workers funded through NOEP:
•    raise awareness of the Food Stamp Program in their community
•    reduce stigma surrounding the program
•    determine if people might be eligible for food stamp benefits, and
•    help clients fill out the application and gather the required documentation.

As a direct result of NOEP assistance, approximately 25,000 households applied for and received food stamp benefits in New York State last year. This resulted in more than $84 million in federal food stamp benefits coming into New York State's economy.

According to the Food Research and Action Center, nearly 1 in 5 New Yorkers struggles to feed themselves and their families. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which is called the Food Stamp Program in New York State, is our country’s first line of defense against hunger. The Program helps people put food on their table and helps local economies through the grocery purchases made with food stamp benefits.

According to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, more than 3 million New Yorkers were enrolled in the Food Stamp Program in December 2011. However, New York State has one of the lowest Food Stamp Program participation rates in the country with just 68% of eligible individuals enrolled in 2009 according to a recent USDA report.

Based on U.S. Census data compared with NYS enrollment data, roughly 500,000 seniors in New York State may be eligible for benefits but do not receive them.

A recent report from Children’s HealthWatch, “The SNAP Vaccine”, highlights the positive impact SNAP benefits have on children.  SNAP benefits improve child health by having a preventive affect on risk of being underweight or having developmental delays.

To locate your nearest NOEP provider, please visit www.FoodHelpNY.org.

Increase to NOEP Funding Included in Final State Budget

We are pleased to report to you that the final 2012-2013 state budget includes a $1 million increase to the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP).

 
In January, Governor Cuomo included a $1 million increase to NOEP in his Executive budget proposal. In March, the increase was included in the Assembly Budget Resolution, but denied in the Senate Budget Resolution.

To ensure that this essential funding was included in the final budget, Hunger Solutions New York staff and board members met with key legislators and staff over the past two months. Our staff provided supporting information and explained why NOEP is a great investment for both hungry New Yorkers and our state's economy.

Thank you to those who made phone calls and sent e-mails to lawmakers. Through our collective efforts, they understand how important NOEP outreach efforts have been to struggling New Yorkers and agreed to this valuable investment. NOEP's funding level is now $3,018,000, most of this investment is matched by federal dollars.

Please take one more moment to contact Governor Cuomo to thank him for this initiative. We will keep you updated on NOEP expansion efforts in our Monthly E-News. 

 

Other hunger related programs of interest and how they fared:

Pregnant Women, Infants and Children (WIC) - provides nutrition assistance to low-income, nutritionally at-risk pregnant women, infants and small children. It received level funding from FY 2011-12: $19,811,300

School Lunch and Breakfast Program - reimburses schools for student breakfast and lunch. It received an increase from FY 2011-12 of $600,000 due to increased participation: $33,100,000

Summer Food Service Program - reimburses program sponsors for free summer meals provided to low-income children and teens. It received level funding from FY 2011-12: $3,049,000

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs - provides nutrition assistance to low-income older adults through congregate meal sites, meals on wheels programs and the Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition program. It received level funding from FY 2011-12: $79,765,000

Child Adult Care Food Program Account – Federal USDA-Food and Nutrition Services Fund- which provides nutritious meals and snacks to low-income children at approved child care centers, after school programs, homeless and domestic violence shelters; it also provides these services at participating non-residential adult day care centers. It received the same funding as FY 2011-12: $247,694,000

Hunger Prevention Nutrition Assistance Program - provides nutrition assistance through regional food banks and local food pantries, emergency shelters and soup kitchens. This program received an increase of $2,500 from FY 2011-12: $29,702,000 

April 26: Breakfast in the Classroom Info Session in Newburgh

Join us for this important Breakfast Summit, and you could WIN a $1000 WELLNESS GRANT!

Exclusively for School Nutrition Directors, Business Administrators, Principals and Superintendents.

RSVP by April 19, 2012.

Breakfast will be served, and each district with two key stakeholder attendees will automatically be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 Wellness Grant.

Breakfast Summit
Thursday, April 26, 2012
9:00am - 12:00pm
Newburgh Hilton Garden Inn
15 Crossroads Court
Newburgh, NY 12550

This event is hosted by American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Healthy Schools New York, and Hunger Solutions New York.  Click here for more information.

April 14: "Hunger Hits Home" Video on The Food Network

From Share Our Strength:

Food Network and No Kid Hungry team up for the new documentary, "Hunger Hits Home," airing April 14 on Food Network. The film takes a first-hand look at the crisis of childhood hunger in America through the eyes of the parents, children, and others on the frontlines of the battle.

What: Hunger Hits Home, narrated by Jeff Bridges, national spokesman for Share Our Strength
Where: Your home with TV tuned to the Food Network
Date: Saturday, April 14, 2012
Time: 8:00 p.m.

Learn more and watch a video clip on the Share Our Strength website

NYS Organizations Urged to Sign On to SNAP Support Letter to Senator Gillibrand

Every five years, Congress reauthorizes the Farm Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation that includes, among other items, SNAP/Food Stamps.  This year, the Farm Bill is up for reauthorization.  As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is a key player in the Farm Bill reauthorization effort.

  

Senator Gillibrand has been a champion on behalf of hungry Americans. As Farm Bill deliberations heat up, we need to demonstrate strong and diverse New York State support for SNAP to bolster her efforts.  We are circulating a sign on letter for New York State organizations that urges Senator Gillibrand to stand strong to strengthen and protect SNAP, and to oppose any proposals to cap or reduce funding, restrict eligibility or reduce benefits in SNAP. 

ACTION NEEDED:  

1. Sign your organization onto this critical letter urging Senator Gillibrand to stand strong to strengthen and protect SNAP.
2. Please distribute the letter and encourage other New York State groups in your network to sign.

Click here to view and sign the letter.

2012 Food Stamp e-News Now Available

Check out Hunger Solutions New York's latest electronic newsletter covering the Food Stamp Program in NYS also know as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nationally.

In this newest edition you will find:

• Policy Update on changes to FSP


• NYS Grant Announcement for the Fresh Connect Program


• SNAP Vaccine: Boosting Children's Health


• Economic Consequences of Cutting SNAP


• FRAC National Anti-Hunger Confernece Materials

Sign up for future FS e-news

Farmers markets see more business from swipes of the card

By DAVID TAUBE--dtaube@poststar.com The Post-Star Posted: Sunday, March 11, 2012 10:00 am

GLENS FALLS -- Patty Campbell of Glens Falls chatted with winter farmers market vendors Saturday and exchanged $1 wooden tokens for purchases.
She routinely visits the market, using her food stamp benefits via an Electronic Benefit Transfer card to buy produce.

“I’m so glad to get fresh, local food,” she said. “Quality to me is more important than quantity.”

Many markets across the state are reporting the money spent in farmers markets with food stamps has doubled from 2010 to 2011, and local farmers market leaders are seeking to add more portable card readers for EBT in several Washington County farmers markets and two markets in northern Saratoga County.

From 2010 to 2011, Glens Falls Farmers Market has also doubled its EBT and debit card use, said David Porter, president of the Glens Falls Farmers Market Association, which also runs a market in Queensbury.

Statewide, more than $1.6 million in food stamps was spent at farmers markets in 2010. Spending figures for 2011 are expected to be available in about a week, Farmers Market Federation of New York Inc. Executive Director Diane Eggert wrote in an email.

The Glens Falls market has had a debit card machine since March 2010, which allows EBT recipients to exchange their benefits for $1 tokens and debit card users to redeem $5 tokens.

Most of the $1 tokens go to vegetable vendors, Porter said.

At the Glens Falls winter market, held in Christ Church United Methodist, visitors can obtain tokens from a farmers market worker after scanning their card on a handheld, mobile debit card reader.

The market keeps about $150 in $1 tokens and about $600 in $5 tokens, and Glens Falls Farmers Market Association treasurer Judy Provo said some Saturdays all the tokens get used.

“It’s really catching on,” said Hal Davis, who sells meat at the market raised from his Argyle farm, Lick Springs Beefalo.

Hudson Falls, Fort Edward, and at least six other small farmers markets in Washington County, as well as those in South Glens Falls and Gansevoort, do not have EBT terminals, said Linda Gifford, president of the Hudson Falls/Fort Edward Farmers Market Association.

She and other farmers have had a meeting to talk about getting further access in those areas, though, and plan to meet again on the issue next week.

“It would help out, because there are people who use food stamps all over,” she said.

The state has furthered the effort with FreshConnect, a program launched last year to bring food from New York farms to low-income residents and areas.

The program created 11 farmers markets, supported four more and created a program called FreshConnect Checks, where every $5 of food stamps spent in participating markets allowed benefit recipients to receive a $2 rebate check.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a press release the state will expand the program in 2012 through several new methods, spurred on by competitive grant funding.

Nonprofits, local government entities, regional market authorities, public benefit corporations, and farmers markets that previously participated in FreshConnect are eligible to apply for grants. A 25 percent local match of the grant is required.

Applications for the process are available at www.agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html and are due April 2.


To see the full article.

Action for Healthy Kids: School Grants for Healthy Kids

From Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK):
 
Through partners such as Kellogg's and the Walmart Foundation, Action for Healthy Kids is pleased to release its School Grants for Healthy Kids opportunities for the 2012-2013 school year.  Over 500 schools will be awarded funds that will range from $1,000 to $5,000 (average $2,000) with significant in-kind contributions from Action for Healthy Kids in the form of people, programs, and school nutrition expertise.  We'll also provide schools with management expertise and support to develop strong nutrition programs around school breakfast, competitive foods, summer meals, access to healthy food and nutrition education.

Award amounts will be based on building enrollment, project type, potential impact, and a school's ability to mobilize parents and students around school wellness initiatives.  Schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program and National School Breakfast Program; and must have a free/reduced priced meal eligibility greater than 50% to be eligible.  Priority selection will be given to schools with student enrollment greater than 500 students.  Grants are available in select states as listed below.

 

What schools need to know to apply

• Interested schools are invited to attend a webinar to learn more about the available grant opportunities for 2012-2013 and receive tips for applying.  Please register for the time best fitting your schedule.  NOTE: Archived recordings will be posted here following the live sessions.
• Tues, Mar 20, 2012 - 3:00 to 4:00pm ET / 12:00 to 1:00pm PT - Register>>
• Tues, Mar 27, 2012 - 3:00 to 4:00pm ET / 12:00 to 1:00pm PT - Register>>
• The following grants are available:
• ALL STATES - School breakfast program creation and/or expansion - to include alternative breakfast programs (i.e., breakfast in the classroom, grab and go breakfast, breakfast after 1st period, breakfast on the school bus) and universal breakfast programs.  IMPACT: Schools must realize an increase in daily ADP of school breakfast program by 25% and must provide information to students/parents on nutrition and caloric content of foods available.
• SELECT STATES (CA, CO, CT, DC/MD/VA, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, WA)
• Summer feeding program creation and/or expansion - assisting support and funding to already existing summer meal program sites, or creating new sites based on community need.
• Providing healthier foods in competitive food venues like vending machines, a la carte lines, school fundraiser activities, classroom activities, rewards, and extra-curricular vending (school sports) activities.  IMPACT: Schools must realize a positive shift in implementing school policy in these areas.
• Proving access to healthy foods through food taste testing, nutrition education lessons, and food curriculum enhancements.  IMPACT: Schools must implement at least one taste test opportunity for the entire student population, implement nutrition education lessons, and must provide information to students/parents on nutrition and caloric content of foods available.

Steps to Apply

1. Applications must be submitted online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SchoolGrantForHealthyKids.
2. You may download the paper application here (pdf) so you can work with your team to develop your concept before submitting in online.  (NOTE: paper applications will not be accepted.  Please make sure you submit your final application online.)
3. Deadlines
1. May 5, 2012 - Applications Due
2. June 1, 2012 - Awarded schools notified
3. June 7, 2012 - Webinar for grant funded schools
4. Dec 14, 2012 - Mid Project report due
5. June 14, 2013 - Final Project report due

Learn more at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/upcoming-events/grant-opportunities/school-grants-for-healthy.html

March 2012 Child Nutrition e-News Now Available

Check out our latest electronic newsletter containing information about child nutrition and child hunger!

In the March edition of CN e-News:

• 2012 Summer Food Service Program updates
• National School Breakfast Week, March 5-9th
• President Obama's proposed federal budget regarding funding for nutrition assistance programs
• The Community Eligibility Option to serve free school meals
• A new survey for schools in NY regarding the data matching process for direct certification 

Click here to access the latest CN e-News
Sign-up for future CN e-news

School Survey Regarding Data Matching/Direct Certification for Free School Meals

Dear food service directors and SFAs, 

The New York School Nutrition Association and Hunger Solutions New York have teamed up to learn more about your experiences with the new data matching process for direct certification. 

We'd like to hear from you! 

Please complete this brief, online survey. Our intentions are to gather feedback and input from you. We'd like to hear what's working with data matching and suggestions to improve the process in the future. Please follow the link and complete by Friday, March 16th. 

Any questions, please contact Rachel Rupright at Hunger Solutions New York rachel.rupright@hungersolutionsny.org or Deb Rosko at drosko@bkwcsd.k12.ny.us