The weekly Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) 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.
Issue 23, June 11, 2004
- FY 2005 Agriculture Appropriations, Child Nutrition Reauthorization, House Budget Process
- Food Stamp Participation Increases in March 2004 to 23.8 Million Persons
- Hunger Awareness Day Launches Initiatives Across the Nation
- Model Comments on Food Stamp Rule Online
- Strategies for Journalists to Cover the Federal Nutrition Programs
- WIC Food Stores for Poor Charge Above-Average Prices
- USDA Official Questions Hunger Data
- Kids Count: Children's Well-Being Improving but Young Adults At Risk
- Medicare Credit for Low-Income Seniors Raises Concern for Food Stamp Benefits
- Website Links Seniors to Affordable Drugs
- Low-Income Households Spend Less on Fruits & Vegetables
- Corporate Profits Surging as Wages Decline
- Record Job Loss for Women
- Iowa: Food Stamps Bring $167 Million to Economy
- California: Hunger Strikes All Parts of L.A.
- Ohio: Economy Producing Long Food Lines
- New Mexico: Residents Not Taking Help
- New York: Free Summer Lunch Served in Central New York
- Florida: Welfare Reform Leaves Poor Better Off but Still Struggling
1. FY 2005 Agriculture Appropriations, Child Nutrition Reauthorization, House Budget Process
(Food Research & Action Center, June 11, 2004)
1) The Appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2005 funding of nutrition programs begins Monday, June 14th when the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee marks up its annual spending bill. 2) House and Senate congressional staff continue to iron out differences between the Senate Agriculture Committee-passed child nutrition reauthorization bill (S. 2507) and the House-passed version (H.R. 3873). Outstanding issues are "competitive foods" (i.e. foods sold in competition with school meals programs) and cost containment proposals for "WIC-only" stores. 3) The House is slated to take up a "budget process" initiative that would place unrealistically tight caps on all discretionary programs, with potential for an amendment that would also cap total entitlement spending (except Social Security). Setting the cap so low would require an estimated $1.8 trillion in entitlement cuts over ten years.
For more information on these issues, visit http://www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/cnreauthor/cnalert061004.htm
2. Food Stamp Participation Increases in March 2004 to 23.8 Million Persons
(Food Research & Action Center, June 2004)
Participation in the Food Stamp Program in March 2004 (the latest data available) increased by 299,077 persons from the previous month, to 23,815,664 persons. Some of this increase was due to continuing high rates of joblessness and continuing low wages, states improving access, and the effects of the food stamp reauthorization implementation. The March 2004 level of food stamp program participation is a rise of more than 2.8 million persons compared to March 2003.
http://frac.org/html/news/fsp/03.04.html
3. Hunger Awareness Day Launches Initiatives Across the Nation
(Hunger Awareness Day, June 3, 2004)
Hunger Awareness Day prompted state and local activity nationwide. Here are a few key stories:
--
Kansas: "Filling the Plate: Partners Against
Hunger," kicked off in Kansas to encourage more
people who are eligible for food stamps to apply. "When
one Kansas child needlessly suffers from hunger,
it is unacceptable," said Kansas Governor Kathleen
Sebelius.
"
Food stamp sign-up drive seeks to fill plates of
Kansas families," Lawrence Journal-World, June
4, 2004, http://www.ljworld.com/section/stateregional/story/172082
--
Bill Shore, executive director of anti-hunger
organization Share Our Strength, wrote in the Christian
Science
Monitor that hunger in the U.S. "could not be
more pervasive." Millions of Americans do not
have enough to eat, but the fact is often overlooked
because the U.S. does not suffer from a famine, as
seen in "dramatic footage on the evening news."
"
The hunger in America's midst," Christian Science
Monitor, June 3, 2004,
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0603/p09s02-coop.html
--
California: In San Francisco, 150,000 people
live on the edge of hunger every day. Some residents
make
more than the income requirement for food stamps,
but must still skip a meal so that another family
member
may eat.
"
Hidden face of hunger in San Francisco," San
Francisco Chronicle, June 3, 2004, http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/06/03/EDGPU6V6BH1.DTL
--
Nebraska: The Nebraska Appleseed Center released
a report "Portrait of Hunger in Nebraska." The
report estimates 185,000 Nebraskans struggle
to put nutritious food on the table. Recommendations
from
the report include relaxing income eligibility
for food stamps and better outreach about the
program.
"
Report kicks off campaign urging more food
for poor," Lincoln
Journal Star, June 4, 2004, http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2004/06/04/nebraska/10050582.txt
--
Iowa: Karen Ford, executive director of the
Food Bank of Iowa, urged Iowans to solve
hunger
on two
fronts. In the short term, food and fundraising
is needed for
local pantries and soup kitchens. In the long
term, economic conditions that lead to hunger
and other
necessities must end.
"
National Hunger Awareness Day is upon us," Winterset
Madisonian, June 4, 2004, http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1814&dept_id=121308&newsid=11856497&PAG=461&rfi=9
For more stories: http://www.frac.org/html/news/Press_06.04.04.html
4. Model Comments on Food Stamp Rule Online
(Food Research & Action Center, June 11, 2004)
The public comment period on the food stamp eligibility and certification provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 is open until June 15. FRAC has posted model comments online that an organization may tailor to its local conditions on hunger and food insecurity.
For the proposed rule: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a040416c.html#Food%20and%20Nutr ition%20Service
Model comments: http://frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/programs/fsp_model_comment.html
5. Strategies for Journalists to Cover the Federal Nutrition Programs
("Feeding the Children," Children's Beat, Spring 2004)
This article in the Casey Journalism Center's Children's Beat, a journal of media coverage, provides an overview of childhood hunger, the federal nutrition programs, recent trends, and story ideas for journalists. It points out that hunger in America is more subtle than in the developing world, yet 13 million children live in food insecure households. "Telling their stories is a challenge for journalists, but now is a good time to try." Programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are well-known, but others like CACFP are often overlooked by journalists. The article looks at Kids Cafes, CACFP in family child care, summer food, and USDA's collaboration with FRAC and Second Harvest on food stamp pre-screening and outreach. "Especially since the 2001 arrival of Undersecretary Eric M. Bost, the Food and Nutrition Service has pressed states and local agencies to promote access to all its nutrition programs," the journal reports.
http://www.frac.org/Childrens_Beat_Article.pdf
6. WIC Food Stores for Poor Charge Above-Average Prices
("Selling to Poor, Stores Bill U.S. for Top Prices," New York Times, June 6, 2004)
There are a growing number of "WIC-only" food stores, particularly in California and Texas, that are charging 10 to 20 percent more for their groceries than other retail grocers. "WIC-only" stores cater exclusively to participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The WIC-only stores often provide convenient locations and special services like transportation. The higher cost means states, which use federal grant money for WIC, are paying more for food --- millions of dollars in the aggregate --- and potentially can serve fewer people. The problem is now exacerbated by recently rising food prices: dairy products soared 10.4 percent in April.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/06/national/06FOOD.html
7. USDA Official Questions Hunger Data
("Bush administration dubious about claims," Columbus Dispatch, June 6, 2004)
U.S. Agriculture Department undersecretary for food and nutrition Eric Bost has questioned claims by advocates and national indicators showing hunger on the rise. Bost acknowledges “a bump,” but wonders “how much of [the increase] is due to people taking the easy way out.” Longer lines at food banks and higher food stamp participation do not necessarily mean greater need, says the undersecretary. He credits better government outreach for the uptick. Since pantries do not require income documentation, not everyone receiving help there is in need, he says. Bost has also disputed a USDA survey on food insecurity, calling the survey questions too vague and likely to inflate results.
(Subscription required) http://www.dispatch.com
8. Kids Count: Children's Well-Being Improving but Young Adults At Risk
(Kids Count 2004 Data Book, Annie E. Casey Foundation, June 3, 2004)
Eight out of ten indicators of child well-being improved from 1996 to 2001, reflecting the country's economic growth of the time and the significant expansion of public programs. The finding is from the 15th annual Kids Count Data Book released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation on June 3. The two indicators that worsened --- percent of single-parent families and low birthweight babies --- showed very small increases and may be a "random fluctuation." Conditions for 18- to 24-year-olds are worsening, however. One in six in this age group are unemployed and have at least a high school education. They are disproportionately from low-income and minority backgrounds. The percent of "disconnected" young adults spiraled up 19 percent from 2000 to 2003. They have less of a chance of transitioning successfully into adulthood, "which holds severe implications for our society," said Douglas Nelson, foundation president.
Report: http://www.aecf.org/kidscount/databook/
To view poverty data, click on link followed by "percent of children in poverty": http://www.aecf.org/cgi-bin/kc.cgi?action=newranking
9. Medicare Credit for Low-Income Seniors Raises Concern for Food Stamp Benefits
("Medicare Drug Program May Cut into Food Aid," National Public Radio, June 11, 2004)
The new Medicare prescription drug law gives a $600 per-year credit to low-income seniors for purchasing medicines. The Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture agree that the credit is not income to a senior, so it does not affect food stamp amounts. But they are at odds in interpreting how reduced drug bills will affect a senior’s other public benefits. USDA says if a person’s out-of-pocket spending on medicine decreases because of the $600 credit, their income will increase, and therefore their food stamp benefits decrease. DHHS disagrees: “The law is clear in terms of [the $600] having no impact on other federal benefits.
USDA policy memo on the Medicare Prescription Drug Program and Food Stamps:http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/rules/Memo/04/031004.htm
10. Website Links Seniors to Affordable Drugs
(Access to Benefits Coalition, June 2004)
Medicare recipients, particularly those most in need, can find prescription savings online at the Access to Benefits Coalition (ABC) website. ABC was launched this month. It is a coalition of 70 national non-profit members committed to ensuring low-income Medicare beneficiaries know about and use prescription drug savings programs. ABC's goal is help 5.5 million lower-income seniors receive the $600 Medicare credit per year and other savings by 2005.
http://www.accesstobenefits.org
11. Low-Income Households Spend Less on Fruits & Vegetables
("Low-Income Households' Expenditures on Fruits and Vegetables," Economic Research Service USDA, May 2004)
Low-income families spend significantly less on fruits and vegetables than higher-income households, according to a study by the USDA. On average, poor households buy $3.59 per capita a week of fruits and vegetables, compared to $5.02 per capita a week in higher income households. A marginal increase in income resulted in more fruit and vegetable purchases in higher-income families, but no effect in low-income households. One explanation is that low-income families view other needs as more essential, such as clothing and housing.
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/AER833/
12. Corporate Profits Surging as Wages Decline
("When do workers get their share?," Economic Policy Institute, May 27, 2004)
Corporate profits have shot up 62 percent since the peak of the last recovery (the first quarter of 2001), while total labor compensation has risen only 2.8 percent. These increases are the largest for corporate profit and the smallest for labor during a recovery since World War II. The rise in labor compensation is due mostly to an increase in costs for health care and pension benefits, and are not translating into increased living standards. Take-home pay in the private sector has actually been negative, at -0.6%. The stunted growth of workforce compensation suggests that the recovery is limited to a few.
http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/webfeatures_snapshots_05272004
("Record-Breaking Job Loss Continues for Women, Three Years After Start of Recession," Institute for Women's Policy Research, June 2, 2004)
The 2001 recession began the only continuous period of job loss for women in 40 years. 300,000 women lost their jobs between March 2001, the start of the recession, and March 2004, representing a 0.5% decline in women's employment. The female employment-to-population ratio dropped during this period from 60.2% to 59.2%.
Report (PDF): http://www.jobwatch.org/
14. Iowa: Food Stamps Bring $167 Million to Economy
("Only the very few qualify for food assistance," Times-Republican, June 11, 2004)
This article by Kevin Concannon, director of the state Department of Human Services, points out that food stamp use is at a near record high in Iowa, even with indicators showing that the state's economy is recovering. 185,000 Iowans are receiving food assistance. He credits administrative changes in his agency for the rise. Food stamp program participants now use a debit-like swipe card instead of a paper coupon for benefits, and they only need to report their income biannually instead of monthly. The climb in food stamp participation has brought $167 million in federal dollars to Iowa, an increase of 16 percent from last year.
http://www.timesrepublican.com/edit/story/069202004_edtedit.asp
15. California: Hunger Strikes All Parts of L.A.
("775,000 adults go hungry," Long Beach Press-Telegram, June 3, 2004)
Nearly one in three low-income adults, or 775,000 people, in Los Angeles County, are hungry or at risk of hunger every day, based on a report by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. The study found that "no particular part of Los Angeles County seems free of food insecurity and hunger," according to an author of the study, Charles DiSogra. Hunger is rising, says Michael Flood, executive director of the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, along with requests for food assistance. The report includes recommendations for increasing access to food banks and food stamps, including use of more culturally appropriate ways to deliver services. But, there remain many barriers to food stamp eligibility. The UCLA study used data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey.
http://www.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,204~21474~2189233,00.html
16. Ohio: Economy Producing Long Food Lines
("Economic woes bring longer food lines throughout Ohio," Canton Repository, June 7, 2004)
Ohio's economy is producing longer lines at Ohio's food pantries. The economic climate is Depression-like, the worst in 30 years, says one Catholic social services worker. Among the residents he assists are people with 10 to 20 years of work experience but who do not have jobs now. The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, which serves 3,000 agencies throughout Ohio, saw a 44 percent increase in demand from the last quarter of 2003 to the first quarter of 2004. Governor Bob Taft has said Ohio's economy is recovering, but that "hardship and suffering" still exist. The state has given $4.5 million a year to food banks, administered $1.3 billion in federal money for food stamps and school lunches, and increased the number of children in the Children's Health Insurance Program to assist those in need.
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=13&ID=165841&r=0
17. New Mexico: Residents Not Taking Help
("County residents not taking help," Portales News-Tribune, June 5, 2004)
New Mexicans may be too shy, unaware of available programs, or wary of stigma, but public officials wish to encourage more people who are eligible to take advantage of public supports. New Mexico had the highest rate of children living in poverty in 2001. "It's important to us to make everyone aware of the problem," said Pamela Hyde, Secretary of the Human Services Department for New Mexico. "It affects the entire community. The $1,243,000 in food stamps is spent in local businesses. If double the [current number] of people who qualify for food stamps apply, that's an additional $1,000,000...to the local economy...We want people from New Mexico who need it, to get that money." To encourage applicants, New Mexico has reduced paperwork, and the timing of the interview required to stay in the program has changed from every three months to every six.
http://www.pntonline.com/engine.pl?station=portales&template=storyfull.html&id=2508
18. New York: Free Summer Lunch Served in Central New York
("Area sites slated to offer lunches for children," Herkimer Evening Telegram, June 4, 2004)
Children up to age 18 can get lunch at various sites in central New York this summer. Some sites are "open sites," meaning any child will be served. Others require registration. There is no limit on the number of children served. The free lunches are provided through the federally-funded Summer Food Service Program. Edie Mesick, executive director of the Nutrition Consortium of New York State, wishes more schools and agencies would become Summer Food sponsors and more children received the free lunches. "It is disappointing that this valuable program is not reaching every child or every community that needs it," said Mesick.
http://www.herkimertelegram.com/articles/2004/06/04/news/news03.txt
19. Florida: Welfare Reform Leaves Poor Better Off but Still Struggling
("Report says welfare reform had positive effect in Miami-Dade," Sun-Sentinel, June 4, 2004)
Employment rates of welfare recipients have increased and the poorest neighborhoods are doing the same, or better, based on a five-year evaluation of welfare reform in Miami-Dade County. The study found that most of the people who left welfare for work appear better off financially, but many of them are still poor and struggling. Their jobs generally are low-paying and offer no benefits. Welfare administrators in Miami-Dade County imposed extremely harsh sanctions: the report expressed surprise that benefits were denied to 61 percent of welfare clients in fiscal 1999-2000 because they did not meet job-search obligations. Recipients may have missed job-search activities because the opportunities were unhelpful, according to the report. The state also failed to let all clients know they may still be eligible for child care assistance, food stamps, Medicaid and tax credits after leaving welfare.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cwelfare04jun04,1,3885380.story