Replacment SNAP Benefit Deadline Extended for Herkimer, Madison and Montgomery Counties

Due to severe storms on June 27 and 28, NYS has directed the SNAP offices in the following counties: Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery to allow recipients of SNAP benefits to report a loss until Friday, July 29.

Current SNAP recipient households, in the counties listed above, that have lost food purchased with SNAP benefits due to the storms on June 27 and 28 are entitled to a replacement issuance of benefits if they:

1.  Report food loss by Monday, July 29 to their SNAP office.  This can be done either by phone, in person or in writing, and
2. Return a signed and completed Form 2291A "Request for Replacement of Food Purchased with SNAP Benefits" to the SNAP office by the close of business 10 days after reporting the loss.
3. By submitting form 2291 A by Monday, July 29, SNAP recipients will fulfill both the above requirements of reporting the loss of food and submitting the form.  When using this option SNAP recipients no longer must report the loss separately from submitting the form.

 Other things SNAP recipients should know:

• Form 2291A is a legal Statement indicating a loss of food due to a household misfortune and to the cost of the food lost.
• The SNAP office may use available information regarding power outages and flooding to confirm the accuracy of the statement.  
• Make sure to print clearly when filling out the form.

Click here to download the form. 

Click here for additional resources (flyer, policy alert)

Your local Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinator can help you. Your NOEP Coordinator is a free and confidential partner in your community that can answer any questions you have about SNAP and will work with you on getting any food bought with your EBT card that was destroyed by flooding/power outages replaced. 

Click here to find a NOEP coordinator.

You can find the location of your local SNAP office by calling the toll-free New York State Temporary Assistance Hotline at 1-800-342-3009 or by clicking here for a county by county listing.

Action for Healthy Kids School District Breakfast Grant

Action for Healthy Kids District Breakfast Grant: With generous funding from Kellogg's Corporate Citizenship Fund, Action for Healthy Kids is pleased to release its School Breakfast to School Wellness Partnership grant opportunities for the 2013-2014 school year. School districts will be awarded funds to impact 10-20 schools that will range from $12,600 to $25,200 with significant in-kind contributions from Action for Healthy Kids in the form of people, programs, and school nutrition expertise. We'll provide districts with management expertise and support to develop strong alternative and universal breakfast programs to increase breakfast participation in 10-20 schools districtwide. Applications are due August 23, 2013.

Click here for more information.

FRAC President Jim Weill’s Reaction to House Passage of H.R. 2642

From Food Research and Action Center - July 12, 2013 Federal Nutrition Programs Update:

On July 11th the House passed a partial Farm Bill (H.R. 2642) that dropped the nutrition title entirely. The move was viewed as part of conservatives’ strategy to make SNAP cuts at a later point in the process, whether by passing a bill with nutrition provisions, by negotiating such in conference with the Senate, on its Farm Bill (S. 954), or by enacting other legislation. Nonetheless, in the meantime, SNAP, which has a permanent authorization, continues under current law subject to appropriations.

FRAC President Jim Weill’s Reaction to House Passage of H.R. 2642: “It is unfortunate that the House passed this partial Farm Bill. The nutrition title was not included, and the path that the House majority leadership is pursuing is one that does not bode well for SNAP in the House. Over the past year, the House majority leadership has used every opportunity to try to cut and weaken SNAP. The bad committee Farm Bill, the adoption of the Southerland amendment and others on the House floor, and the Ryan budget proposal all portend a new assault on SNAP after today’s action. FRAC will continue to work towards a Farm Bill that protects SNAP and the nation’s children, seniors, and working families.”

Follow this link to the online version of the FRAC statement.

Senators Oppose Bill Split: By letter dated July 11th (pdf), 17 Senators led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to oppose splitting the Farm Bill.  Joining Senator Gillibrand in cosigning were Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mark Begich (D-AK), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bob Casey (D-PA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Angus King (I-ME), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Tom Udall (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

AARP Opposition: In a letter opposing H.R. 2642, AARP said: “Removal of the nutrition title of the Farm Bill represents an abandonment of the nation’s commitment to ensuring essential nutrition access for the many U.S. households that face a constant struggle against hunger and food insecurity daily as well as emergency food assistance in times of economic and natural crises or disasters. Along with helping low-income people eat healthier, more nutritious food, the nutrition programs also benefit the economy. For example, every $5 in new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits generates $9 - nearly twice as much - in total community spending.”

Message and Action Needed: 1) Thank Representatives for votes against the Farm Bill H.R. (2642) Rule and final passage. 2) Urge Representatives and Senators to protect and strengthen SNAP in any Farm Bill or other legislative vehicle, including in conference committee.

Roll Call Votes: For the vote on the Rule and final passage of H.R. 2642, follow this link to see votes 349 and 353.

Resources: For background on Farm Bill proposals and developments, including analyses of proposals to cut SNAP funding, go to the Legislative Action Center on FRAC’s website.

House Farm Bill Ignores the Hungry: Statement by Linda Bopp, Executive Director of Hunger Solutions New York

House Farm Bill Ignores the Hungry

Statement by Linda Bopp, Executive Director of Hunger Solutions New York

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a Farm Bill that does not include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is our country’s first line of defense against hunger and has proven to be very effective.  SNAP enables low-income people to eat healthier, more nutritious food while benefiting local economies.   Currently, over 3 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP to put food on their tables which consequently brought more than $5 billion into New York’s economy last year.  We need a Farm Bill that honors our country’s commitment to help our most vulnerable. Hunger Solutions New York will continue to work for a Farm Bill that protects SNAP and the nation’s children, seniors, disabled, veterans, and working families who depend on this vital Program.

# # #

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

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

Press Release: Hunger Solutions New York Announces Request For Proposals for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                          

Contact: Michelle Golden

518-436-8757 x 114

Hunger Solutions New York Announces Request For Proposals for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program

Albany, New York—July 12, 2013—Hunger Solutions New York is soliciting proposals for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP).  Community Based Organizations will have the opportunity to apply for a grant to provide free and confidential services that connect hungry New Yorkers to nutrition assistance programs.

New York State has long recognized that the use of federal nutrition assistance programs is critical to addressing the problem of hunger and that many of these programs are underutilized.  As a result, NOEP has operated in New York State since 1987. Through NOEP, 501(c)(3) community-based organizations are funded to:  promote the benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) to the local community; provide outreach to eligible, non-participants of SNAP; assist households through the SNAP application process; and help resolve barriers to participation in SNAP.   In addition, NOEP projects promote awareness of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP). 

To be eligible to participate in the process, an agency must be a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization incorporated for a purpose sufficiently broad enough to include providing services or other assistance to economically or socially disadvantaged persons.

A Letter of intent to submit a proposal in response to this RFP should be e-mailed, to the attention of Paige Cerulli, and received by Hunger Solutions New York no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, August 9, 2013. 

# # #

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

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

June 2013 Storms-Replacement SNAP Benefits Information and Form

Due to severe storms on June 27 and 28, NYS has directed the SNAP offices in the following counties: Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, St. Lawrence, Schoharie, Tioga and Warren to continue taking applications for replacement of June SNAP benefits through Friday, July 29.

Current SNAP recipient households, in the counties listed above, that have lost food purchased with SNAP benefits due to the storms on June 27 and 28 are entitled to a replacement issuance of benefits if they:

1.  Report food loss by Friday, July 19 to their SNAP office.  This can be done either by phone, in person or in writing, and
2. Return a signed and completed Form 2291A "Request for Replacement of Food Purchased with SNAP Benefits" to the SNAP office by the close of business Monday, July 29.
3. By submitting form 2291 A by July 19, SNAP recipients will fulfill both the above requirements of reporting the loss of food and submitting the form.  When using this option SNAP recipients no longer must report the loss separately from submitting the form.

 Other things SNAP recipients should know:

• Form 2291A is a legal Statement indicating a loss of food due to a household misfortune and to the cost of the food lost.
• The SNAP office may use available information regarding power outages and flooding to confirm the accuracy of the statement.  
• Make sure to print clearly when filling out the form.

Click here to download the form. 

Click here for additional resources (flyer, policy alert)

Your local Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinator can help you. Your NOEP Coordinator is a free and confidential partner in your community that can answer any questions you have about SNAP and will work with you on getting any food bought with your EBT card that was destroyed by flooding/power outages replaced. 

Click here to find a NOEP coordinator.

You can find the location of your local SNAP office by calling the toll-free New York State Temporary Assistance Hotline at 1-800-342-3009 or by clicking here for a county by county listing.

USDA Announces Nutrition Standards for Snack Foods and Beverages Sold in Schools

From the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC): 

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its nutrition standards for all foods sold in school outside of the federal school lunch and breakfast programs, including cafeteria “a la carte” items, vending machines, and other snack foods, and beverages. These new standards are an important step to remedy nutritional shortfalls in our nation’s children’s diets and to help address the obesity crisis.

These new nutrition standards, consistent with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, will promote the health of all school children throughout America. 

Click here to read the full press release from FRAC.