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. USDA Awards States for SNAP/Food Stamp Program Improvements
(Statesman Journal, October 3, 2009; Clarksville Online, October 3, 2009)

Oregon was awarded $2 million and Tennessee received $3.3 million for "Best Program Access Index," joining Alaska, the District of Columbia and Missouri which were also honored in this category by USDA. Oregon's award was based on the state's improved SNAP/Food Stamp outreach, and this is the third year in a row USDA has awarded the state for its food assistance program. "In the past, we've won based on accuracy," said Gene Evans of the state's Department of Human Services. "This one was about making sure the people who were eligible for assistance are getting into the food stamps program." Seniors and minorities were particularly targeted by state workers, and the state also focused on getting help fast to families in need. "People walking in with an application are able to see someone in 30 minutes," said Kim Fredlund, a self-sufficiency manager for Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. The state will use the award money on improvements to the SNAP/Food Stamp or nutritional outreach programs.

USDA recognized Tennessee's outreach efforts in its award, the fourth year in a row the state has been honored. The state has Department of Human Services offices located in every county, and "roving caseworkers" target "hard-to-reach" clients in Nashville and Memphis. Residents can apply online for SNAP/Food Stamps, and last month more than 7,700 did so, helping the state sign up 75 percent of eligible residents. Governor Phil Bredesen noted that the award shows that the state "is a leader in delivering the benefits that our citizens need in a timely and efficient manner. It is imperative that Tennesseans have easy access to programs that can provide assistance, especially during these tough economic times." Human Services Commissioner Gina Lodge said the state will use the award money to improve the SNAP/Food Stamp program. A county breakdown of the state's SNAP/Food Stamp participation is available at http://state.tn.us/humanserv/adfam/fs_stats.html; residents can find out more information on assistance programs at http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/findhelptn/.

Additional State SNAP/Food Stamp Award Categories and Awardees:
Most Improved Program Access Index: Alaska, Delaware, Maryland, Wisconsin.
Best Application Processing Timeliness: District of Columbia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Virgin Islands.

2. Austin Newspaper Lists Slowest SNAP/Food Stamp Offices in Texas
(Austin American Statesman, October 8, 2009; American Statesman, October 7, 2009; Dallas Morning News, October 6, 2009)

The top 10 slowest Texas SNAP/Food Stamp offices are in Dallas, Decatur, Gainesville, Houston, Fort Worth, Amarillo, Hampstead, San Antonio, Houston and Sherman. They're the tip of the iceberg in an Austin American Statesmen list of 71 offices that take an average of 40 days or longer to process SNAP/Food Stamp applications (as of September 25, 2009). Among the top ten, the number of days range from Dallas at 150 to Sherman at 89. Not including offices located in hospitals and other health care facilities, Texas has 310 SNAP/Food Stamp offices. "The massive backlog that has left low-income families hungry and waiting for weeks and months for government food assistance has reached a critical level," writes the Statesman in a related editorial. "In September 2009, Texas processed 58.6 percent of new applications on time. That means that the state failed to process 41.4 percent of applications by deadlines required by the federal government." The required timeline is 30 days. "Those aren't just numbers; they are people. Those people include children who are hungry when they don't have to be." The editorial notes that from 1998 to 2004, Texas received bonuses for accuracy in SNAP/Food Stamp application processing. In 2005, the state got rid of 2,900 state workers whose jobs were outsourced to private contractors. "That privatization effort failed, and state workers were retained and called back. But the damage was done as many experienced workers had already left, " notes the editorial. A separate article notes that the scope of the problem has led federal officials to consider appointing a Texas SNAP/Food Stamp czar to fix the problem. "All states are feeling the pinch right now…but I'm not aware of any state that is having it to the degree that Texas is," said William Ludwig, USDA/FNS regional administrator for Texas and four other states. Texas' problems stem from a "whole series of missteps, mismanagement over the last four years," said Ludwig. With some families waiting up to five or six months for SNAP/Food Stamps, Ludwig wonders "How many give up? That's what we're concerned about."

3. Georgia Flood Victims Can Get Replacement SNAP/Food Stamps
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 7, 2009)

Victims of Georgia's recent floods who lost food purchased with SNAP/Food Stamps can get replacement benefits by visiting their local Division of Families and Children Services offices, officials from the Department of Human Services recently said. SNAP/Food Stamp recipients in the following counties are eligible for the replacement benefits: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker.

4. While Iowa's SNAP/Food Stamp Participation Rises to Record Level, State Proceeds with Budget Cuts
(WCF Courier, October 8, 2009)

In August, Iowa's SNAP/Food Stamp participation rose to 313,000 recipients, a 15.6 percent increase from the previous August. Caseworkers, who carry an average of 518 cases including food aid, welfare benefits, Medicaid, subsidized adoptions or child care, "are under enormous stress," said Roger Munns of the state Department of Human Services. Gov. Chet Culver has called for a uniform budget cut of 10 percent to save $600 million. Munns noted that the cuts come at a time when the recession has driven assistance numbers and caseloads to their current record highs. "It's a sobering time for government workers," he said, and noted that it will difficult to make these cuts without impacting programs and personnel. The Governor announced the cuts after the state Revenue Estimating Conference showed a steep drop in tax revenues between now and June 30, 2010. "It's going to have a negative impact," said Gov. Culver. "It's going to be a very tough thing for all Iowans to deal with. We're not going to be able to provide the same services at the same level."

5. New Orleans SNAP/Food Stamp Improvements Will Soon Go Statewide
(Nola.com, October 6, 2009)

SNAP/Food Stamp applicants in New Orleans and West Jefferson can have their interviews over the phone, and now don't have to visit an office to sign for the benefit, a policy change that will extend to all of Louisiana by the end of the year. USDA recently granted the state Department of Social Services permission to institute the change. The state receives about 33,000 applications a month, and administers about 311,000 SNAP/Food Stamp cases. "We're focused on changing the way people enroll in our services," noted Social Services secretary Kristy Nichols, who said that the new system will save up to $20 million in two years, and help eliminate the wait for benefits. Under the current statewide system, applicants wait most of the day to complete the enrollment process, showing up at 6 a.m. at the busier offices. Under the new system, applicants can mail or fax an application to a DSS office. They will then be contacted for a phone interview once agency staff reviews the application.

6. Costco Considers Accepting SNAP/Food Stamp at More Locations
(Associated Press/Google, October 8, 2009; Associated Press/Google, October 7, 2009)

Officials at Costco are beginning to believe they "misjudged" their customer base, and the chain is looking at accepting SNAP/Food Stamps at more locations. Currently, the Costco stores in Queens and Brooklyn accept the benefit, and a store in Manhattan will soon do so also. Costco previously had assumed that they attract mainly higher-income shoppers, an attitude that was "probably a bit arrogant on our part," said Chief Financial Officer Richard Gallanti. In the New York locations, new members are joining because the stores now accept SNAP/Food Stamps. "Certainly this economy was a wake-up call," said Gallanti. "It is not just very low end economic strata that are using these that typically don't have purchasing power. It's a lot of people that are using this as a source of their overall consumption." Across the country, people are looking for bargains even at Family Dollar stores; Pizza Hut recently reported that sales are down because people are looking for fast-food bargains - or eating at home. "It's the first time where I've actually seen research show that people are actually cooking more at home than what they say they intend to do," said David C. Novak, Chairman and CEO of Yum Brands, Inc.

7. Family Dollar Focuses on Selling More Food as More SNAP/Food Stamp Recipients Use Benefits in Chain's Stores
(Seeking Alpha, October 7, 2009)

In their 2009 fourth quarter earnings call, Family Dollar Stores noted that they are providing more food for sale in their stores, partly because of the growth in SNAP/Food Stamp sales. The food category is well positioned "for continued growth," said Chief Financial Officer Kenneth T. Smith. "[F]ood has played an increasing role in our assortment," he said, and added that "[f]acing continued pressure economic pressure…we expect that consumers will continue to focus their spending on basic necessities." Currently, 80 percent of Family Dollar stores accept SNAP/Food Stamps. Chairman and CEO Howard R. Levine spoke about the importance of value being a "key driver, even as conditions improve." Family Dollar is seeing many "new or different customers," he said. The focus of all income levels will be paying down debt and saving money; "[o]ur strategy of offering value and convenience positions us well," said Smith. The transcript for the conference call was provided online by Seeking Alpha.

8. Oregon SNAP/Food Stamp Office Hit By Furloughs
(KTVZ, October 6, 2009)

Oregon state offices have scheduled their first of 10 furlough days for Friday, October 16 - which means that on that day, residents won't be able to apply for SNAP/Food Stamps (or any other state-managed form of assistance or license). Most state offices will be closed for the day, and state workers must take an unpaid furlough day. The furloughs are necessary because of the state's budget squeeze.

9. Suburban Residents Find it Difficult to Access Assistance Programs
(The New York Times, October 4, 2009)

Shelters, government offices, and nonprofit agencies are less visible in the suburbs than in cities, and are spread out over a larger area in the suburbs. According to a 2004 Brookings Institute Survey, suburban residents are typically further from social service providers than urban residents. Consequently, many suburban residents can have trouble accessing SNAP/Food Stamps, heating assistance, and counseling, which are tough enough to access on their own. A high-poverty area resident of Washington, D.C. is close to an average of six food assistance providers, while suburban D.C. residents aren't close to any. Food pantries are usually open to people in particular areas - a resident of New Rochelle, a suburb of New York City, can't receive food from a pantry in Yonkers. To cope, many suburbanites are sharing rides, walking, and using public transportation these days in larger numbers than before the recession. They're also seeking "how-to" advice from priests, school nurses, and small-town mayors, who are turning into "de facto social workers."

10. Philadelphia Principals Will Soon Be Rated on School Breakfast Participation
(Philadelphia Inquirer, October 7, 2009)

Principals in the School District of Philadelphia will soon be rated not only on student attendance, math and reading performances, but also on school breakfast participation in order to increase the number of students eating breakfast. Only 54,000 students ate school breakfast last year, although all 165,000 of the district's students are eligible to get the meal for free. The goal: 70,000 students participating in school breakfast by 2011, a 35 percent increase. Currently, some schools have only 18 percent participation, while others are at 98 percent. "Some schools need the push of accountability," said Kathy Fisher, family economic security associate for Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY). A survey conducted by the group last winter found that many Philadelphia principals push breakfast participation only on testing periods, when their performance is being judged. Research has shown that eating breakfast improves student health and school performance. "Making principals accountable for breakfast is critical," said Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center. "School breakfast is so important that it makes sense to hold people in the system responsible." Principals can choose how breakfast is served, although studies have shown that participation rises when breakfast is make part of the school day. Last spring, the Pennsylvania Department of Education approved breakfast as part of instruction time, if students eat the meal during their first class and with a teacher present. Some aren't sold on holding principals accountable; Michael Lerner, president of Teamster Local 502 Commonwealth Association of School Administrators, said "You're doing a disservice to principals by holding them accountable without controlling for other variables." But according to Wayne Grasela, senior vice president of food services for the district, "it doesn't count against principals if kids already ate, because we already assumed that in our target numbers, which are reasonable and attainable." The targets are on a "graduated scale," and will take into account established lower rates of breakfast participation at certain schools.

11. California Schools Take Multiple Steps to Improve Student Nutrition
(Mydesert.com, October 4, 2009)

While California schools now offer more nutritious cafeteria foods, including low sugar and low fat, whole-grain and other healthy items, and eliminated soda from cafeterias and vending machines, schools have been using a number of tactics to get the students to eat healthier foods. Food sales dropped 30 percent when Coachella Valley Unified schools switched to healthier foods and hasn't seen numbers recover, but salad bars, provided in all the schools, are increasingly popular. "The acceptance has grown every year," said Marshall Mattox, director of Coachella's food services. Palm Springs Unified offers each day at least four fruits and vegetables, along with seasonal and locally grown foods, giving students more choices. A dozen of Palm Springs Unified schools offer "Universal Free Breakfast" as part of class time in the mornings. Teachers are encouraged to use online materials to keep books clean while the children are eating and participating in learning activities. Second grade teacher Miguel Gomez noted that the breakfast has put a stop to children complaining of stomachaches, and reduced classroom tardiness. "It's not a distraction at all," he said. "I personally love it. [The children] love it too." School officials across the valley are working with organizations to battle childhood obesity and other health issues and have developed a comprehensive plan to target those issues. But budget cuts and longer academic schedules have elbowed out school physical education programs, and physical activities often fall to before and afterschool programs. The Power Play program at Desert Sands Unified combines afterschool physical activities and teaches children to track their fruit and vegetable intake. Schools can't solve the obesity problem alone, and it will take time, officials note.

12. Nearly One Million Illinois Students Now Receive Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
(Chicago Tribune, October 5, 2009)

Statewide last year, 922,984 students ate free and reduced-price school lunches, an increase of thousands as families struggled during the recession. This year, schools are experiencing further increases, which will most likely raise last year's number. Chicago Tribune interviews with two dozen school districts indicate the scope of the rising numbers:

Barrington Schools - processed 125 more applications this fall than the record 1,440 last spring, reporting a 16 percent increase in applications last year.
Elmhurst District 205 - collected 665 already this year, adding to last year's 10 percent increase.
Glenview District 34 - 812 applications this year, continuing a 4.5 percent increase which started last fall.

13. USDA Aims New Web Tools at Improving Consumer Nutrition
(Food Navigator USA, September 25, 2009)

USDA has launched three new online tools, aimed at the "disconnect between the farmer and the food that consumers buy" according to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. The tools will provide information to improve consumer nutrition and, according to Vilsack, will "re-connect these long standing ties between the people who produce the food and those who purchase and prepare it." The tools are:

Growing a Healthier You: Nutrition From the Farm to the Table - part of the USDA MyPyramid food guidance system, this Web page promotes national initiatives (like National Nutrition Month) and offers fruit, vegetable and other food facts. http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/KnowYourFarmer.htm

MyFood-a-pedia - provides nutrition information for more than 1,000 foods, including calorie counts for the five "healthy eating" food groups, as well as counts for extra calories from solid fats, added sugars, and alcohol. http://www.myFoodapedia.gov

10 Tips Series - Offers tips on cutting salt intake, advice for more environmental food choices, and other topics as part of a nutrition education series. http://www.MyPyramid.gov

14. Some States Unable to Use Recovery Act's Emergency Welfare Funds
(USA Today, September 8, 2009)

In the six months since the money became available through the federal stimulus program, only 27 states have applied for emergency funds for needy families. The emergency funds require states to put up 20 percent of associated costs, and many states say they can't afford it. Even the states that have gotten funding - 13 plus the District of Columbia - only tapped a "small fraction" of the funds.. Nearly $1 billion could be left when the program ends in September 2010. Although one in five Louisiana residents live in poverty, the state says it can't pay the $1 for every $4 in federal funding offered, which would cope with increased welfare caseloads, put the unemployed to work in temporary jobs, keep families from being evicted by paying their rents, and put cash into needy residents' pockets. "We're in an almost crisis-level budget situation in Louisiana," said Sammy Guillory, deputy assistant secretary of the state's Office of Family Support. "So even to start a program is not an option right now." States using the funds include:

New York - $175 million went to helping poor families buy their children back-to-school clothes and supplies; the 20 percent share was "picked up" by a foundation funded by George Soros;
California - $160 million for a Los Angeles County jobs program for 10,000 people; the program paid for the worker's salaries, as the state said that "costs to administer the program and supervise workers counts as the match."

Fourteen states have requested funding but not received it yet. To get more states to request money, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and other organizations have been informing states that the program is flexible - the 20 percent can come from cities, counties, private donors or nonprofits (including homeless shelters and food banks). "If they want to do back-to-school payments," said NCSL's Jack Tweedie, "go talk to Wal-Mart or Target." He predicts that states will not ask for money to start new programs, but will put the money toward avoiding welfare cuts and signing on new applicants. Harry Holzer, an economist at the Urban Institute and public policy professor at Georgetown University, noted that welfare and SNAP/Food Stamp funding programs are some of the best ways to stimulate the economy. "We know that virtually 100 percent of this money is going to be spent, and spent quickly," said Holzer.

15. More State Budget Cuts Likely Although Recession Has Officially Ended
(Associated Press/Google, October 4, 2009)

Sales and income taxes make up two-thirds of a state's revenue, and it's expected that it will take six or more years for state budgets to return to pre-recession levels. In the three previous recessions, it took three to five years for states to recover. Rising unemployment and the decrease in consumer spending hurt state revenue; according to the U.S. Census Bureau, state income taxes declined almost 28 percent in the second quarter of 2009. Arizona and California, hit hardest by the housing market collapse, saw their state revenues fall even further. Compared to the previous year, states' quarterly sales taxes fell almost 10 percent. States are starting from a deep financial hole, which will extend recovery time due to a combined budget gap for 2010-2011 of more than $350 billion. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities expects that next year's budget shortfall for some states to exceed one-quarter of their general fund budgets. Some state services never fully recovered from the last recession. To balance budgets, one-third of states raised taxes this year through income tax surcharges for the wealthy, hiked sales taxes that disproportionately affect the poor, and targeted smokers, drinkers and motorists. States have furloughed thousands of state employees, increased college tuitions, reduced arts and cultural program funding, delayed government building repairs as well as pay raises for employees. While billions in federal stimulus money have protected Medicaid and public schools, that funding will run out before state revenues bounce back. "Even though this national recovery will happen, state revenues are still going to be facing some pretty horrific times," said Sujit CanagaRetna, senior fiscal analyst for the Council of State Governments. "What certainly is going to have to happen is several rounds of significant tax increases and, or, spending cuts," said Donald Boyd, a senior fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government at the State University of New York in Albany.

16. More Apply for SNAP/Food Stamps as Poverty Increases in San Diego
(Sign on San Diego, October 1, 2009)

The recession and heavy job losses last year increased San Diego's poverty rate in 2008, with nearly 367,000 individuals living in poverty (up 46,000 from 2007) according to Census Bureau data. "From 2007 to 2008, we lost 10,000 jobs," said University of San Diego economist Alan Gin. "This year, we're on pace to lose more than 40,000, so you've got to expect that will translate into a skyrocketing rate of those in poverty." The increased rate has pushed more to apply for SNAP/Food Stamps, with 33 percent more individuals and families with incomes up to 30 percent of the poverty level receiving the benefit in August 2009 than in August 2008, noted Dale Fleming, strategy director for San Diego County's Health and Human Services Department. He expects demand for aid will continue over the next 18 months. Last year, 2,046 individuals sought help from the New Seasons Church food pantry; so far this year, 3,100 people have come to the pantry for assistance. "Families are saying what they're making isn't stretching far enough, and when a family loses a job, their income goes down, so some have lost their houses," said community relations director Angela Kretschmar. "We have families sleeping in the park, groups of them are living in one home, and some are living in their cars."

17. Rural Southern Children at Higher Risk for Living in Poverty
(Shelby Star, October 1, 2009)

According to the University of New Hampshire's Carsey Institute, rural children in several Southern states fell into poverty faster than urban children in 2008. Florida and Delaware had the highest increases in rural child poverty, with both seeing increases of more than six percentage points from 2007 to 2008. Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Georgia rural children also slipped into poverty faster than their urban counterparts. In addition, the rural South also has the highest rate - nearly one third - of children under six living in poverty. "These are…the forgotten poor," said Carsey Institute director Mil Duncan, who blamed "everything from racially based education disparities and limited early childhood education programs" for persistent rural poverty.