Mark Bittman Backs SNAP

The New York Times recently posted a great opinion editorial by Mark Bittman, "Hunger in Plain Sight."

The need is everywhere. Whether you look at this from a moral perspective (love thy neighbor, remember?) or a practical one, it’s clear that SNAP and food banks deserve better funding, not worse. It seems absurd to have to say it, but no one in this country should go hungry.

Given the decisions currently facing Congress and state legislatures, Bittman's points are important factors to consider. 

To read the entire editorial click here.

Annual NYC Food Insecurity Report Released

Hunger and food insecurity soared citywide even before Hurricane Sandy, and have likely surged since then, according to a report released by the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, The Perpetual Storm: NYC Food Insecurity Before – and After – Hurricane Sandy.

According to the report, in 2012, food pantries and soup kitchens citywide faced a five percent spike in demand, on top of increases of 12 percent in 2011, seven percent in 2010, and 29 percent in 2009. Yet more than two-thirds of agencies reported a decrease in government funding and more than half report decreases in private funding in 2012. As a result, 63 percent of feeding agencies were unable to distribute enough food to meet current demand, up from 62 percent in 2011 and 51 percent in 2010.

Click here to learn more about NYCCAH's Annual Food Insecurity Survey. 

Hot and prepared food waiver extended for SNAP recipients impacted by Sandy

All of New York City, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Westchester Counties:
Hot and Prepared Food Waiver Extended Until December 31

For The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended until December 31, 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.

SNAP Has Big impact on Supplemental Poverty Measure

This month, the U.S. Census Bureau released data showing that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, kept 4.7 million Americans out of poverty in 2011, including 2.1 million children.  It used a new poverty measure that counts taxes and non-cash government benefits.

Click here to read more from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

UPDATE Westchester County Disaster SNAP Program to Run Through Monday Nov 26.

People who lived in Westchester County on October 27 that suffered losses of property or income due to Hurricane Sandy may be eligible for a one-time SNAP EBT benefit to help pay for food.

Current SNAP/food stamp households do not need to apply. A one-time supplemental benefit may automatically be added to their account in November to bring their benefit level equal to the maximum household allotment.

The program will run through Monday, November 26 and will suspend for Thanksgiving Day. There are specific income guidelines and other requirements.

Applications  will be accepted for D-SNAP as follows: 

*Friday (11/23/12), Saturday(11/24/12), Sunday(11/25/12) -

Mt Vernon District Office, Yonkers District Office and White Plains District Office will be open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. 

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be open from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM. 

*Monday (11/26/12) -

Mt Vernon District Office, Yonkers District Office, and the White Plains District Office will be open from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM.

Peekskill District Office will be open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.  

The program ends COB Monday 11/26/12. 

Click here to download a flyer for non-SNAP recipients. This flyer contains locations to apply.
Click here to download a flyer for current SNAP recipients.

Your Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinator is a free and confidential partner in your community that can answer any questions you have about SNAP/Food Stamps. You can reach your local NOEP
Coordinators, Amarilis Hidalgo and Julie Deluna at:

Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese NY
204 Hawthorne Ave.
Yonkers, NY 10705
914-476-2700

Or contact the Westchester County Department of Social Services at (914) 995-5000.

FreshConnect and Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs Update: Program Season Extended Statewide

The following alerts come from the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets program staff.

Due to the severe weather conditions the downstate region experienced as a result of Hurricane Sandy, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the NYFarmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) has been granted permission to extend the program season statewide as follows:

·         Recipients may continue to exchange FMNP checks for fresh, local produce through Saturday, December 1^st  

·         Authorized farmers may continue to deposit FMNP checks at KeyBank branches through Friday, December 14^th

Farmers who experience any difficulty transacting their FMNP checks at non-KeyBank branches should continue to contact our agency for support. Given the deadline extension we will not be in a position to reimburse for “late checks” after December 14^th, 2012. Also, keep in mind that while farmers may deposit any volume of checks, no more than 250 checks per day may be cashed “on-the-spot” at KeyBank branches. All other program rules and regulations apply.

________________________________________________________

Due to the severe weather conditions the downstate farmers marketing region experienced as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the FreshConnect Program has decided to extend the program season statewide as follows:

·         Fresh Connect Checks may be issued to SNAP recipients through Saturday, December 1^st, 2012

·         Fresh Connect Checks may be exchanged for SNAP eligible food items through Saturday, December 1^st, 2012

·         Fresh Connect Checks may be submitted for reimbursement through Friday, December 14^th , 2012

In addition, due to the power outages in your farmers market region, and the fact that SNAP EBT wireless terminals require electricity to operate, special permission to issue Fresh Connect Checks is being granted as follows:

·         At farmers markets operating in the affected region, Fresh Connect Checks may be issued to SNAP recipients without the purchase of $5.00 of SNAP benefits. Maximum issuance of checks in this way should be $10.00, or five (5) Fresh Connect Checks, per SNAP recipient, per market day.

Farmers who experience any difficulty reimbursing their Fresh Connect Checks should continue to contact our agency for support. All other program rules and regulations apply.

School Wellness Programming: Grant Funding Available

From Action For Healthy Kids:

Exciting New School Grant Opportunity!

Is your school looking for a way to implement district wellness policy?  Are you looking for a plan that will help your school become a healthier place to learn? Did your school lose physical activity equipment or experience playground damage from Hurricane Sandy? Do you want help reaching national recognition award levels (HUSSC, Alliance…) for wellness programming at your school?

Game On!  The Ultimate Wellness Challenge is the answer to all of these questions and many more.

Action for Healthy Kids is pleased to announce grant funding to support elementary schools’ wellness initiatives for the 2013 calendar year.  With generous funding from Stop & Shop/Giant Family Foundation, AFHK will award 40 schools with $1,000 each to impact nutrition and/or physical activity programming.  Grants are currently only available in the following states:

Washington, D.C.  Maryland Virginia New York New Jersey Connecticut Massachusetts

Important deadlines:

Grant Introduction Webinar (Monday, December 3rd at 4:00 pm) Great Deadline Submission (Friday, December 14)

For more information, please Click Here.