A Closer Look at Who Benefits from SNAP: State-by-State Fact Sheets

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has recently updated and posted new papers on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  They have useful information on the program and the role it plays at both the national and state level.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) is the nation’s most important anti-hunger program, reaching nearly 48 million people nationwide in 2012 alone. These fact sheets provide state-by-state data on who participates in the SNAP program, the benefits they receive, and SNAP’s role in strengthening the economy.

To view the NYS SNAP Fact sheet

To view the larger list of all States

School Grant Deadline Extended to May 3, 2013

Action for Healthy Kids is extending the deadline for our School Grants for Healthy Kids application.  Schools now have until May 3, 2013 to submit a proposal to enhance their school breakfast or physical activity initiatives.  

Click here for more information. 

See A Place at the Table

A new documentary about hunger in America called A Place at the Table is being shown in theaters across the country and is available on iTunes or On Demand.

Fifty million people in the U.S.—one in four children—don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush examine the issue of hunger in America through the lens of three people struggling with food insecurity.

Visit the web site to find a screening near you or to learn how to host a screening.

President Obama's 2014 Budget Supports Nutrition Programs

Yesterday, President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Proposal. It protects and proposes to strengthen the nation’s nutrition safety net for the many Americans who continue to struggle with hunger. Chief among his proposals is the restoration of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits made in the 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act and scheduled to take place in FY 2013.

Click here to read a full analysis from our partners at the Food Research and Action Center.

SNAP Works for the Economy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          Contact: Alisa Costa

518.436.8757 x122

Albany NY—April 9, 2013- Everyday people make tough decisions between paying heating bills, medical bills, rent, or buying groceries.  For struggling New Yorkers every dollar makes a difference. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the new name for the Food Stamp Program, can help make these decisions a little easier, while benefiting the local economy at the same time.

Federally funded SNAP benefits help struggling families afford food. Money is automatically deposited in participants’ accounts that are accessed using an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. Participants may choose to buy most foods and food-producing seeds and plants from approved local stores, bodegas and farmers’ markets.

Purchases made with SNAP have an economic ripple effect. Recipients spend benefits immediately at local stores. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), every $5 in SNAP food purchases generates more than $9 in economic activity.

Grocery stores have experienced an increase in SNAP purchases in the last several years.  “Stores which did not take SNAP benefits in the past found a dramatic increase in requests from recipients and immediately became vendors,” said Mitch Klein of Krasdale Foods. “Our supermarkets play an important role in the community by providing quality at competitive prices, in addition to all the jobs for the community that the store is situated in.” In 2012, more than $5 billion in SNAP benefits were used across the state. “While the supermarket is a business for profit, we are also keenly aware that what we offer is critical to the wellbeing of families therefore we need a high level of in-stock products that will fit the budget of all our customers while also finding ways to provide the consumer with even greater savings,” he said.

SNAP benefits are helping farmers too. According to the USDA, on average, $1 billion of retail food demand by SNAP recipients generates 3,000 farm jobs across the United States.

When SNAP purchases are made at farmers markets, the benefits stay local. Throughout New York State, more than 210 farmers markets accept SNAP EBT payments. Recipients can leverage even more dollars through healthy food incentive programs.

Local farmers, especially at farmers’ markets, are seeing a difference. “If it wasn’t for SNAP we wouldn’t be at some of these farmers’ markets. It’s close to 50-70% of our sales,” said Ken Migliorelli, owner of Migliorelli Farm in Tivoli, NY. “I think it’s a great program, beneficial to farmers and our company. It’s a win, win situation for everyone involved.” 

According to the Farmers’ Market Federation of New York State, in 2011, New Yorkers spent about $2.6 million using EBT cards at farmers markets, the second highest amount in the country. This spending was up 34 percent from 2010 thanks to more farmers’ markets accepting EBT.

New Yorkers having trouble affording food can learn more about SNAP and other nutrition assistance programs through the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP).  NOEP is available in 52 counties and every borough in New York City to provide outreach, education, and application assistance.

To find a local NOEP provider or to learn more about SNAP and other nutrition assistance programs, visit www.FoodHelpNY.org.

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Hunger Solutions New York is a statewide organization dedicated to alleviating hunger for all New Yorkers. For more information visit www.HungerSolutionsNY.org.  

2011 US vs NYS Characteristics Report Now Available Online

The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) is the agency that administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program. Each year, USDA FNS releases their SNAP Household Characteristics Report that details the demographic and economic circumstances of  participating SNAP households across the United States. 

Hunger Solutions New York compiles the US and New York State Selected Characteristics of SNAP Households report as an easy to read and interpret version of the USDA's larger national report to highlight New York State SNAP participation data and compare it to the national data. 

Hunger Solution new York's report compares selected characteristics including: 

• Average Monthly Household Benefit Amount

• Number of Children receiving SNAP benefits

• Number of Elderly receiving SNAP benefits

• Percentage of Households with Zero Gross Income

This is a great data source for community agencies, as well as state and local government officials dedicated to finding solutions to hunger in New York State. This report can help  identify populations with low participation rates when designing SNAP outreach strategies. It also shows how participation rates have changed over the last 11 years in our state and nationally. To find this report, you can visit the SNAP Center of Hunger Solutions New York's website, and download the US and NYS Selected Characteristics of SNAP Households FY 2002-2011. 

*report prints in legal size*

State Budget Deal Protects Anti-Hunger Program Funding

The final state budget signed by Governor Cuomo on April 1 maintains funding for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) and protects other anti-hunger programs from cuts. Below is an outline of funding highlights from the enacted budget.

Program Name	Budget	FY 20120-13	FY 2013-14
Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP)	OTDA	$    3,018,000	$     3,018,000
Wellness In Nutrition (WIN)/Supplemental (Senior) Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)	OFA	$  21,380,000	$   21,380,000
School Lunch and Breakfast Program	DOE	$  33,700,000	$   34,000,000
Summer Food Service Program	DOE	$    3,049,000	$     3,049,000
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)*	DOH	$  19,811,300	$   26,254,900
Child Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)	DOH	$ 247,694,000	$ 247,694,000
Hunger Prevention Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)	DOH	$    29,702,50	$   28,046,700
Food Banks**	OTDA		$    2,000,000

* The 2013-14 Budget line for WIC is a combined line that includes a budget line previously not tracked by Hunger Solutions New York. The new amount is equivalent to a 5.57% cut when the two lines are combined.

** While HPNAP received a 5.57% cut in the DOH budget, an additional $2 million was allocated to food banks in the OTDA budget for a small increase in overall funding.

Hot and Prepared Food Waiver Extended Until April 30 for all of NYC, Nassau and Suffolk Counties

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended, until April 30, the ability of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/food stamp recipients to use their benefits to purchase hot and prepared foods from participating vendors.

Sometimes, when storm victims relocate, are living in shelters, have kitchen damage or are without power, it can be difficult to prepare meals. For these reasons, USDA permits this waiver to enable SNAP recipients to access hot, nutritious meals at vendors that already accept EBT cards (typically grocery stores and bodegas). 
 

Click here to download an updated hot and prepared foods outreach flyer.

Web Version of Prescreening Guide Now Available

Hunger Solutions New York has posted the web version of the "SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN NYS: An Eligibility Prescreening Guide."

This year's web version includes features like clickable navigation to sections and appendices within the document, and many clickable links to additional web resources. Visit the SNAP Center on our website to download a copy. 

The guide is designed for human service agencies, advocates, and volunteers working with low -income households to:

• Determine which households may qualify for benefits, as well as their estimated SNAP benefit allotment; 
• Assist potentially eligible households through the application process;  and
• Assist current SNAP participants in the re-certification process.