The Weekly Food Research and Action Center News Digest highlights what's new on hunger, nutrition and poverty issues at FRAC, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around the network of national, state and local anti-poverty and anti-hunger organizations, and in the media. The Digest will alert you to trends, reports, news items and resources and, when available, link you directly to them.

1. FRAC Report: Low-Income Children Missing Out on Summer Nutrition Programs
(FRAC, July 8, 2009)

According to FRAC's recently-released report Hunger Doesn't Take A Vacation - Summer Nutrition Status Report 2009, 17 percent of low-income children who receive free and reduced-price school meals participated in Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2008. "For every six low-income kids, only one gets a meal during the summer," said FRAC president Jim Weill. "It can be, even in good economic times, hugely difficult to maintain a decent diet for their kids." Summer Nutrition Programs keep children fed while school is out, especially children who rely on free and reduced-price meals during the school year. In Missouri, 2008 participation was up five percent over 2007; still, only one in six eligible children participate. In Vermont, 29,000 children receive free and reduced-price lunch last year, but only 4,684 of them received free summer meals. For every 100 Illinois children receiving free and reduced-price school lunch, only 16 participate in summer nutrition - if the state increased participation to 40 percent, it would receive $10 million in federal child nutrition funds. "The summer months are a really tough time for families and we know what this economy is like. We are experiencing one of the worst deficits at the state level and yet we're walking away from federal money," said Diane Doherty of the Illinois Hunger Coalition.
Articles: Reuters | Fox 4 Kansas City, MO | Burlington Free Press | Chicago Public Radio

2. Blogs Highlight FRAC's Report on Strategies to Achieve President's Goal of Ending Child Hunger by 2015
(The Huffington Post, Texans Against Hunger, Sustainable Food Blog)

A report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) outlines seven strategies it deems essential for the nation to meet President Obama's goal of ending childhood hunger in America by the year 2015. In The Huffington Post, FRAC President Jim Weill noted that "[a]s a nation we have only six years to reach this goal of ending childhood hunger and it will not be easy. But the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) has described the essential strategies needed to make the 2015 pledge a reality. They are the measures required if we're serious about ending the scandal of childhood hunger in the U.S. and bolstering the health and futures of our children." A posting on the Texans Against Hunger blog noted that "[t]he FRAC report boldly calls on the nation to end childhood hunger through a mix of economic growth focused on lower-income workers, strengthening proven anti-hunger programs, and making sure all families have convenient access to reasonably price, healthy food. The Federal Child Nutrition Programs central to this strategy will be reauthorized by Congress this year."
FRAC 2015 Report.

3. SNAP/Food Stamp Boost Helps Families, Economies
(The Wall Street Journal, July 7, 2009)

SNAP/Food Stamp recipients started receiving an average of $80 a month more in April, part of President Obama's stimulus plan. Now, that money is going to grocers and farmers, helping families afford healthy food and creating jobs. In Mississippi, farmer Ed Kraklio, Jr. now counts several hundred dollars each month in SNAP/Food Stamp sales at farmers' markets, money that has allowed him to hire another assistant, who then spends her income in "stores, restaurants and gas stations." Money pumped into banks, car companies, and state and city governments by the recovery act has been slow to circulate, notes USDA, while 80 percent of SNAP/Food Stamp benefits are redeemed within two weeks of their receipt; 97 percent are redeemed within the month. This money helps families struggling through the recession. Before the boost, SNAP/Food Stamp allotments rarely lasted a couple of weeks. Angie Minix saw her benefits increase from $525 to $606 a month - and is now able to shop in the fresh produce section of grocery stores, and notes she's introduced her children to cauliflower, lettuce and cucumbers. Nearly 1 million additional recipients were added to the SNAP/Food Stamp rolls between January and March of this year; in March, 33.2 million individuals received the benefit. Stores are noting the benefit. "When we look at the acceptance of food stamps, it becomes part of a larger and longer strategy to us," said Ken Smith, chief financial officer of Family Dollar Stores, Inc., which has 6,600 outlets in 44 states and estimates that 20 percent of its customers are on SNAP/Food Stamps. If SNAP/Food Stamp benefits had not increased, "we would have been hurting more," said Joe Garcia, controller at Moo & Oink Inc., a Chicago-area meat retailer. In Iowa, Sawyer Beef sells to SNAP/Food Stamp recipients at farmers' markets; their sales have increased, said Norman Sawyer, and he's now able to make improvements to his farm.

4. SNAP/Food Stamps Continue To Be Best for Stimulating the Economy
(NPR, July 8, 2009)

The SNAP/Food Stamp boost in the economic recovery act is a simple idea - the money goes to people who will spend it, and this increase spending will help the economy. "This injection of funds ends up being spent on food, and that has a multiplier effect through the economy," said Ray Hill, professor of finance and economics at Emory University. "As more people are employed in grocery stores, more people are employed to make the food, more people are employed to grow the food as a result of that stimulus." Charmaine McCauley, a single mother of two in suburban Atlanta who lost her job as a mortgage banker due to the recession, as well as her home, now gets an additional $45 in SNAP/Food Stamps each month. "You know, just the staple stuff you need like bread, milk, cheese, eggs - those little things. That little extra can help with that," she said. "It's definitely something that's helped our family. A lot." Economist Mark Zandi, chief economist with Moody's Economy.com, sees the boost as a "good, quick way to create spending." He notes "If the stimulus is working, along with all the other things policymakers have done, we should see a more stable economy by the fall and, hopefully, we start to see a bit of growth in 2010."

5. Economy Drives Up SNAP/Food Stamp Participation Across the U.S.

Oswego County, New York
(PallTimes.com, June 29, 2009)
More than 6,400 families receive SNAP/Food Stamps in Oswego County, New York; the county saw applications rise 35 percent between 2007 and 2008. In 2009, the county has seen a six percent increase so far, with 314 households applying each month, according to the county's Department of Social Services. The county commissioner asked the legislature to accept $70,531 in funds available through the economic recovery act, which would provide funding for additional hours and overtime needed by county workers to process the additional SNAP/Food Stamp applications; the motion was accepted by the legislature's Health and Human Services Committee. The county legislature is scheduled to vote on the proposal at its next full meeting.

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
(Vineyard Gazette, July 3, 2009)
SNAP/Food Stamp use at Cronig's Market on Martha's Vineyard increased 500 percent over the past winter, while visits to the food pantry increased 22 percent, and the number of students eligible for free lunch at one island school increased 100 percent. Also this winter, 11.1 percent of the island's workforce was unemployed, a 67 percent increase over the previous winter. The findings appeared in a report recently published by the Martha's Vineyard Donors Collaborative, which also noted 56 percent of nonprofit organizations experienced decreased contributions, and 20 percent experienced dramatic decreases.

Somerset County, New Jersey
(NJ.com Blogs, July 5, 2009)
Since 2006, the number of SNAP/Food Stamp applications in Somerset County, New Jersey, increased 240 percent, just one of the social services in high demand due to the economy. SNAP/Food Stamps "…are the biggest economic indicator," noted Joseph Kunzman, director of the county's Board of Social Services. But eligibility rules are too restrictive, he said, and he hopes that the income limits will increase when the Division of Family Development reviews eligibility requirements in October.

Rockland County, Maine
(Village Soup, June 26, 2009)
One in four Rockland County residents receives SNAP/Food Stamps - 1,985 people - ranking the county first in the state for participation in the program. Knox County saw its SNAP/Food Stamp numbers jump 13 percent between May 2008 and May 2009 - from 5,469 to 6,173 residents. Unemployment in Knox County increased from the May 2008 rate of 4.2 percent to 7.5 percent in May 2009. Retail sales continue to drop steeply and housing sales continue to stagnate, signaling a dismal local economy.

6. Pennsylvania Struggles with Fewer SNAP/Food Stamp Caseworkers Amid Increased Demand
(Philadelphia Inquirer, July 2, 2009)

Since 2002, the number of Department of Welfare county-assistance workers in Philadelphia dropped 24 percent, due to worker attrition and a hiring freeze, according to Joel Levin, department supervisor and union official in Germantown; citing from another source, department spokesperson Stacey Witalic said the number was about 17 percent. However, Philadelphia's SNAP/Food Stamp participation hit a record in May, with 365,503 residents on the program, 10 percent more than in May 2008. But, recipients are having trouble contacting caseworkers. The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, in a recent report, showed that its staff placed 377 calls to caseworkers for SNAP/Food Stamp clients from May 11 to June 5. They were unable to contact caseworkers 62 percent of the time, reaching recordings or listening to endless ringing. Department workers follow strict regulations and guidelines in their work, and have to deal with frightened clients, many newly unemployed and applying for SNAP/Food Stamps and other benefits for the first time. "Things are now about as bad as I've ever seen them," said Richard Weishaupt of Philadelphia's Community Legal Services. "People are feeling they're not well taken care of, workers are feeling burdened, and phone calls are going unanswered." And, the SNAP/Food Stamp application process can be "daunting," requiring an interview with a caseworker and 12 forms of documentation (including pay stubs, rental agreements, and utility bills). In a statement, the Coalition said that "Governor Rendell has ignored the problem." A spokesman for the Governor noted the state's budget crunch, and said the Governor "has been and continues to be determined to protect programs that affect the neediest Pennsylvanians."

7. Florida County Losing Millions in Unclaimed SNAP/Food Stamp Benefits
(Palm Beach Post, June 30, 2009)

While there's been a 30 percent increase in the number of people applying for SNAP/Food Stamps through the state's Department of Children and Families, according to Alex Stevens, director of the county's community food alliance, $83 million in benefits are unclaimed in Palm Beach County. County Commissioner Burt Aaronson noted "You can't let $83 million slide off the table," and urged the state and local leaders to get the word out to people who might not know they're eligible. One in three county residents, according to a 2004 survey, ran out of food before having the money to purchase more. These days, calls to 211 requesting emergency services have increased 30 percent, noted Stevens.

8. Washington State Could Receive Nearly $300 Million More in SNAP/Food Stamp Benefits
(News Tribune, June 29, 2009)

Twenty percent of Washington State families - 100,000 households - could receive SNAP/Food Stamps but don't, meaning the state is missing out on $270 million in federal funds, noted Leo Ribas, director of the Department of Social and Health Services' Community Services Division. Last year, 400,000 families received $1.2 billion in SNAP/Food Stamp benefits, which were spent immediately in grocery stores, helped feed hungry children, and stimulated local economies. Ribas presented the information at the first Community Needs Forecast meeting, where he suggested that the word on SNAP/Food Stamps needs to get to those who aren't participating, through libraries, food banks, and schools.

9. South Dakota Changes Name of Food Stamp Program
(Argus Leader, June 22, 2009)

On July 1, South Dakota changed the name of the state's Food Stamp Program to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), to be consistent with the federal program. More than 31,000 South Dakota households - 75,573 people - received SNAP/Food Stamp benefits in May 2009.

10. Colorado SNAP/Food Stamp Demand Further Taxes Computer System During Recession
(Technologyfailure.com, June 26, 2009)

According to the Denver Post, CBMS [the Colorado Benefits Management System], which processes applications for SNAP/Food Stamps and other state benefits, is slowing down even further due to increased demand for SNAP/Food Stamps during the recession. Counties have pointed out that it takes 45 minutes to enter one application, as names and addresses have to be re-entered from screen to screen. The system has overpaid some recipients while refusing benefits to others, causing the state to reimburse the federal government $9 million since December for the errors.

11. Hunger is Prominent Problem in California County
(San Mateo Daily Journal, June 22, 2009)

Of the 48 proposals San Mateo County received for emergency grants to nonprofits, aimed at helping those struggling with the recession, 34 were related to food. Available grant funds total $500,000, but requests for funding totaled $2.7 million. "That's just how big the issue is," said Supervisor Adrienne Tissier at a recent county forum on hunger, where it was estimated that county residents need 63 million more meals annually. Approximately 1,200 county residents requested SNAP/Food Stamp benefits in January 2009, a 44 percent increase over the previous year. County unemployment nearly doubled between March 2008 and March 2009, going from 4.2 percent to 8.3 percent. The county's self-sufficiency level exceeds $75,000 - 349 percent of the $22,050 federal poverty level.

12. Many Eligible Seniors Not Receiving SNAP/Food Stamps
(Health News Digest/AARP, July 3, 2009)

An estimated 3.6 million Americans over age 65 live in poverty, but USDA estimates that only 34 percent of eligible senior citizens receive SNAP/Food Stamps, SNAP/Food Stamps help seniors struggling with the choice over whether to buy groceries or pay bills. AARP and USDA are working together to inform seniors that they may be eligible for the program, and AARP has a Web site section that will help older Americans learn more: http://www.aarp.org/snap.

13. Farmers' Markets Find EBT Card Grant Applications Hard to Navigate
(Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel, July 5, 2009)

Many Maine farmers' markets are "not exactly high-tech affairs (and therein lies their charm)," notes this editorial, which reports that although there is federal funding for farmers' markets to install EBT-reading machines, only one farmer accepted the offer. "The reason? The application is an incredibly complex mix of jargon, administrivia and red tape that would be daunting even to the most seasoned Soviet Politburo veteran. The program guidelines run to 30 pages…The reporting requirements are likewise overly burdensome." It would seem that farmers' markets and SNAP/Food Stamps would go together, helping recipients access fresh fruits and vegetables and adding to a farmer's sales. The Governor's office recognized how hard it would be for farmers to get these grants and purchased six battery-powered wireless EBT machines that will soon be placed in six markets. But, this still leaves many residents without access to healthy food. "[T]he federal government needs to revamp the application so that it's farmer-friendly," concludes the editorial. "That doesn't mean taking away any measure of accountability - these are taxpayer funds and we need to know that they're being well spent."

14. USDA Recovery Spending Information Now Online
(Farm Futures, June 29, 2009)

USDA's new Web site section - USDA.gov/recovery - contains information on recovery act funds being used in states and communities across the country. "USDA is an 'Every Day, Every Way' department, and USDA.gov/recovery connects people to the wide variety of USDA's programs," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a press statement. Tools included on the site: a blog, podcasts, and RSS feeds. Users can provide feedback to USDA as well as interact with each other through the site, in addition to telling their own stories. USDA launched an online mapping function earlier this year that shows where and how recovery act funding is being used in the U.S.

15. Free School Meal Participation Up in Ohio Schools
(Columbus Dispatch, July 5, 2009)

School districts across Ohio are seeing more parents losing jobs, and more students qualifying for subsidized school meals. Half of students in South-Western schools signed up for subsidized meals two months into the school year; two years before, 35 percent of students had signed up. This trend is mirrored across the state. According to Beth Glitt of the South-Western district's food-service department, this is "something we hadn't seen before. The people calling and asking questions were people who hadn't needed those benefits before." Charlie Kozlesky of the Children's Hunger Alliance pointed out that "[w]e need to work smarter to get the word out. Parents need to know these programs exist. There are school districts that have made great pushes to identify those children." According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, children receiving SNAP/Food Stamps and Ohio Works First cash assistance increased 23 percent over the past two years - and schools are required by federal law to give these children free and reduced-price lunches. Many schools are relying on these subsidized meal students to help their food service break even. The new food service director at Columbus area schools, Joseph Brown, notes the schools make money from free lunch. "It's not the way we want to get there, but it is a side effect," said Brown. "It helps someone who needs it, and it helps our bottom line." Dublin school district now has 11 percent of students receiving free and reduced-price meals - in 1998, that number was less than 2 percent. Reynoldsburg schools receive $1.2 million in federal reimbursement for meals, a figure that's more than four times the amount six years ago. Whitehall schools had the biggest 10-year increase in students approved for subsidized meals, going from 36 percent of students to 75 percent.

16. Some Rhode Island Children Still Missing Out on Federal Nutrition Programs
(Pawtucket Times, June 26, 2009)

Data from the most recent Rhode Island Kids Count show that during 2008, one in four Pawtucket children live in income-eligible households that don't receive SNAP/Food Stamps; 77 percent of children do take advantage of the program, similar to the state's percentage. The statistics were revealed at a meeting titled "Pawtucket Data in Your Backyard," which featured a presentation by Elizabeth Burke Bryant, RI Kids Count director. Henry Shelton of the George Wiley Center noted the need to shorten the SNAP/Food Stamp application in addition to providing more workers to speed the application process. The Blackstone Valley Community Action Program, though, was able to use federal stimulus funds to hire additional SNAP/Food Stamp outreach staff. While Pawtucket schools offer breakfast free to all children, 26 percent of the 6,691 eligible children participate - a rate advocates would like to see improve. Social service organizations are providing breakfast program information to families in order to boost participation; recently, the state included funding to continue the breakfast program. Pawtucket has one of the highest child poverty rates in Rhode Island.

17. Communities in New York Region Making Sure Children are Fed This Summer
(The New York Times, July 3, 2009)

Despite budget cuts, and to help families struggling during the recession, schools and community groups in New York and Connecticut are stepping up their Summer Nutrition Programs, and are expanding beyond urban areas into suburban communities once thought immune from the effects of a tanking economy. Still, programs tend to reach a fraction of children, due to lack of transportation, sponsors, and awareness. The Bloomfield, Conn. school district began serving free summer meals after the number of students qualifying for subsidized lunches during the school year rose from 42 percent in 2007 to 46 percent this year. In Syracuse, N.Y., a record 80 percent of students qualified for free and reduced-price meals this year (78 percent qualified in 2008), and their summer program which served meals at 40 sites in 2008 expanded to 48 sites this year. More than half a million in federal funds in New York have gone to promoting free summer meals to all children at 1,000 sites; $90,000 of this money was spent on subway posters in New York City. The city is offering grab-and-go breakfasts to children, in addition to hot food, at 300 schools with summer classes. Yonkers offers all meals in air-conditioned buildings to boost participation. Connecticut sites offer theme lunches, gift certificate drawings; End Hunger Connecticut! has awarded schools, agencies and community groups nearly $7,000 in grants for summer nutrition outreach. When New York's Nassau County had to cut back their program because some sponsors pulled out (budget cuts forcing cancellation of day camps and other programs), churches and synagogues stepped in to offer meals. "The economy is affecting everybody, even those who are trying to help," said Carl DeHaney, who oversees the county's program.

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