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 26, July 2, 2004
- President Signs Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act
- CAP Projects for Senior Food Stamp Eligibility
- "Food Deserts" in Urban and Rural Areas
- Report on EBT Progress
- USDA Employees Recognized at Agriculture Secretary's 2004 Honor Awards Ceremony
- Single Mothers’ Employment Rate Fell During Weak Economy
- Celebrate National Summer Learning Day on July 15, 2004
- Great American Bake Sale RFPs Accepted Until July 25
- First Nations Accepting Grant Applications to Assist Native American Food Systems
- Undersecretary Bost Discusses Obesity Issues
- Electronic Games and Childhood Obesity Linked
- Non-Farmers Getting Farm Subsidies Due to Vague Rules
- Executive Pay Up 112% while Food Lines Up 26%
- Ohio: Groups Help Hungry Families in Summer
- Washington: Hunger Doesn’t Take a Summer Break
- California: Nation’s First Paid Family Leave Law Gives Parents a Helping Hand
- California: Budget Cuts Hurting Single Mothers
- Mississippi: Poor Relieved State Agency Doors will Stay Open
1. President Signs Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act
On June 30th, President Bush signed into law S. 2507, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, which reauthorizes and makes changes to the child nutrition programs.
http://www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/cnreauthor/cnalert062404.htm
FRAC will post summaries of the Act’s provisions the week of July 5th.
Statement by the White
House Press Secretary:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040630-9.html
2. CAP Projects for Senior Food Stamp Eligibility
(“Combined Application Projects: Guidance for States Developing Projects,” USDA, June 2004)
Low-income senior citizens are at high risk for food insecurity because they often live alone and have limited mobility and health problems. Food stamp participation has been traditionally low among this group, but a combined application process that simplifies the food stamp application process for those receiving Supplemental Security Income is successfully increasing the numbers of elderly persons receiving food stamps. South Carolina, in 1995, became the first state to implement a Combined Application Project (CAP). The percent of seniors served in that state increased from 38 percent in 1994 to 50 percent in 1998, compared to the national rate of 42 percent falling to 38 percent over the same period. The publication offers guidelines for developing and implementing CAP in other states.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/caps.pdf
FRAC’s
analysis of the numerous states operating or planning
CAP projects and the CAP alternativew
is at:
http://www.frac.org/pdf/CAPreport.pdf
3. "Food Deserts" in Urban and Rural Areas
("Poorest pay the most to eat in nation's 'food deserts'," The Morning Call, July 2, 2004)
Increasingly, Americans live in rural and urban "food deserts" as supermarkets concentrate in suburbs, where there is more space to build bigger stores offering cheaper prices. Almost half of residents in the western U.S. have poor access to grocers, followed by the Midwest (34 percent), the South (24 percent) and the Northeast (10 percent), according to sociologist Troy Blanchard of Mississippi State University. Living in food deserts likely is financially, mentally and physically costly. USDA estimates that grocery prices average 10 percent more in food deserts than at suburban groceries. For low-income and elderly people, a convenience store with costly and unhealthy fare can become the de facto grocery store. Andy Fisher of the Community Food Security Coalition says it’s a “perverse irony that the people who have the least are paying the most. ”
http://www.mcall.com/business/local/all-groceriesjul02,0,3687530.story
4. Report on EBT Progress
(“Benefit Redemption FY2003 Annual Report,” Food and Nutrition Service, June 10, 2004)
The transition from paper coupons to electronic benefits cards was ninety percent complete by the end of FY2003, according to the annual report of the Benefit Redemption Division of the Food Stamp Program. The report also highlights special projects, which include the phase-out of coupons, Store Tracking & Redemption Systems (STARS), retailer outreach, the expansion of an in-house mailer Food Stamp Notes, and the implementation of The Electronic Benefit Transfer Interoperability Act of 2000.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/retailers/2003-annual-report.pdf
5. USDA Employees Recognized at Agriculture Secretary's 2004 Honor Awards Ceremony
(U.S. Department of Agriculture, June 25, 2004)
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman honored staff at the 58th Annual Secretary's Honor Awards Ceremony. Among those recognized were Peter Murano and his group (Robert Eadie, John Endahl, Stanley Garnett, Fred Lesnett, Rosemary O’Connell, Joan Tressler) for their implementation of the Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program, which provided free produce to thousands of children in 100 schools; Patti Mitchell for increasing immunization rates among participants in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program; Mark Nord, along with group members Steven Carlson and Margaret Andrews, for leadership in national food security and hunger measurement and for publishing the annual Household Food Security in the United States reports. A special award went to Susan Offutt for establishing the Economic Research Service as the nation’s leading source of economic information and policy analysis on food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development issues. George Braley received a 2003 Presidential Award for Senior Executive Service employees as a “Distinguished Executive” and Alberta Frost was honored as a “Meritorious Executive. ”
http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0260.04.html
6. Single Mothers’ Employment Rate Fell During Weak Economy
(“Employment Rates for Single Mothers Fell Substantially During Recent Periods of Labor Market Weakness,” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, June 22, 2004)
The proportion of single mothers who were employed rose substantially in the mid- and late 1990s but fell from 2000 to 2003. This study from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities finds a link between recent labor market instability and falling employment rates of single mothers --- from 73 percent of single mothers in 2000 to 69.8 percent in 2003. The drop is larger than that of other parents and the population overall. Four out of five of the industries employing the largest percentage of people leaving welfare for work have suffered job losses greater than or equal to the private economy as a whole. Yet, the proportion of families receiving welfare continued falling through the recession in 2001, raising questions about the effectiveness of the safety net.
http://www.cbpp.org/6-22-04ui.htm
7. Celebrate National Summer Learning Day on July 15, 2004
(Center for Summer Learning, Summer 2004)
Summer Learning Day is a time for communities to celebrate the importance of high-quality summer learning opportunities in the lives of young people and their families. Sponsors call on people to host events in communities on July 15, 2004 that showcase programs and raise awareness about the benefits of summer programs. A wide array of public agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries, museums, universities, and summer camps across the country will celebrate the first annual Summer Learning Day. For more information visit the Summer Learning Day website.
http://www.summerlearning.org/summerlearningday/
8. Great American Bake Sale RFPs Accepted Until July 25
(Share Our Strength – Great American Bake Sale 2004)
Until July 25th, Share Our Strength will be accepting grant applications from current sponsors of USDA summer feeding programs (reimbursed through the Summer Food Service Program or the National School Lunch Program) and USDA afterschool meal service programs (reimbursed through NSLP or the Child and Adult Care Food Program), and from advocacy organizations that provide technical assistance to these programs. The goal of this grantmaking program is to increase the number of children participating in afterschool and summer nutrition programs that take advantage of these federal funds. Current program sponsors or advocacy organizations that help improve and increase participation in these programs may apply.
http://www.greatamericanbakesale.org/site/PageServer?pagename=learn_application
9. First Nations Accepting Grant Applications to Assist Native American Food Systems
(First Nations Development Institute, June 30, 2004)
First Nations Development Institute (First Nations), a national nonprofit organization assisting Native peoples, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, has announced its Request for Letters of Intent for its Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI) grant. The deadline is July 30. The grants assist Native nonprofit organizations, tribes, and Native community groups working in rural communities to strengthen their food systems. To view the criteria of selection and apply, visit the link below.
10. Undersecretary Bost Discusses Obesity Issues
(“USDA Official Getting Out Health Message,” Daytona Beach News-Journal Online, June 30, 2004)
Adults have difficulty breaking dietary habits, which are then adopted by their children, said U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary Bost at an obesity conference. He said that parents should supervise their children’s nutrition more closely. Philip Reeves who oversees the nutrition program at the Florida Department of Health said paperwork consumes too many resources which should be focused on providing youngsters good, healthy food. Other speakers believed schools should play a bigger role in children’s health by eliminating candy drives and soda machines and placing more emphasis on physical education. Half of all Florida high school students get no physical education.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/
WestVolusia/03WVolEAST02WF062904.htm
11. Electronic Games and Childhood Obesity Linked
(“Electronic Games Linked to Childhood Obesity,” Good Housekeeping, July 1, 2004)
A link between electronic games and childhood obesity exists, according to a study by U.S. and Swiss researchers. The researchers’ focus was to identify environmental and behavioral factors, by type and duration of sedentary activities, associated with childhood obesity. The study involved 872 children in first to third grades in 10 schools in Switzerland.
12. Non-Farmers Getting Farm Subsidies Due to Vague Rules
(“Farm Subsidy Rules Called Too Vague,” Washington Post, July 1, 2004)
Eligibility rules set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for farm subsidies are so vague that some people “only marginally involved in farming,” are collecting subsidies. The finding is from a report by the General Accounting Office. GAO also found that the rules defining fraud are loose, hampering the agency’s effort to enforce anti-fraud rules.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19029-2004Jun30.html
13. Executive Pay Up 112% while Food Lines Up 26%
(“Hunger Group Calls on Top-Earning Execs to Give Back to New York,” NYC Coalition Against Hunger Press Release, June 28, 2004)
In 2003, executive pay at the largest 100 companies in New York rose “an astounding 112%,” according to New York Newsday. During the same period, the number of people visiting food pantries and soup kitchens rose 26 percent, noted the New York City Coalition Against Hunger. Almost half of all agencies had to turn people away or ration food because they lacked enough resources to respond to everyone. The Coalition called upon the well-paid executives to "give back to New York" by making a tax-deductible contribution to anti-poverty groups, raising wages for their workers, and/or supporting government minimum wage increases. "We congratulate New York's corporate leaders," said Joel Berg, director of the Coalition. "Yet many of these leaders are likely unaware that there are more than one million low-income New Yorkers --- many of whom are working hard and playing by the rules but can't afford to feed their families --- who have yet to experience any economic recovery and are being forced to utilize charitable food pantries and soup kitchens in record numbers. ”
http://www.nyccah.org/media/executiveslary.doc
14. Ohio: Groups Help Hungry Families in Summer
(“Groups Help Hungry Kids,” The Advocate, June 29, 2004)
One recent Monday, the local Salvation Army served more than 350 free lunches to YMCA campers and a handful of children who walked up to the lunch. Supplies at food pantries and soup kitchens are depleted from the increased need of families seeking help in the summer. More families need help also because of lower wages or reduced hours of work. The warehouse for the Food Pantry Network of Licking County is nearly empty. Charities served by Ohio food banks are reducing the amount of food they give out --- in some cases from five days of food to two or three days. One church ended its weekly food program because of rising gas and insurance prices.
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/news/stories/20040629/localnews/743305.html
15. Washington: Hunger Doesn’t Take a Summer Break
(“Opinion - A Local View: Hunger Doesn’t Take a Summer Break,” The Columbian, June 29, 2004)
In Clark County almost 15,000 children participate in the free and reduced-cost lunch programs during the school year. But in the summer, "we pretend that the problem of hunger for our students goes away. In fact, hunger is at its very worst during the summer months,” writes Schuyler Hoss, assistant executive director of Share, a nonprofit outreach organization. One teacher, Hoss mentioned, keeps a box of food next to her desk. The food goes to some of her students so they have something to eat over the weekend. "Too many teachers see hunger in the eyes of their students," Hoss writes. Several teachers told Hoss they worry some of their students do not get enough to eat in the summertime. After the summer, these children return to school "behind the rest, " from lack of sufficient food.
http://www.columbian.com/06292004/clark_co/161134.html
16. California: Nation’s First Paid Family Leave Law Gives Parents a Helping Hand
(“New Parents Applaud Paid Family Leave Law,” Los Angeles Times, June 30, 2004)
California passed the nation’s first paid family leave law two years ago, effective July 1, 2004. However, only 22 percent of Californians know about the law, found a UCLA study. The law entitles most workers to up to six weeks off to care for a new baby or adopted child, or an ailing spouse or parent, while receiving up to 55 percent of their pay. “It’s a stress reliever, the whole notion of not wondering how am I going to pay the electric bill,” says a mother from Oakland with a recently adopted son. Ninety percent of the applicants to the program are new parents. The assistance is funded through a 0.08 percent payroll tax.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-leave30jun30,1,2958238.story?coll
=la-headlines-business
17. California: Budget Cuts Hurting Single Mothers
(“Hurting those who can least afford it,” Los Angeles Daily News, June 29,2004)
State Representative Sheila Kuehl writes in this op-ed that women with children in California who are barely getting by now may have to manage with even less. The state’s main aid program for families, CalWORKs, has declined by $1 billion since 1996. The governor has now proposed further cutting families’ monthly aid by $35, making it lower than the monthly aid amount in 1989. Thirty-five dollars can mean a light bill or a couple of bags of groceries to a family. The governor’s proposed budget also would make it less likely for families to have any child care. There are better solutions to California's budget woes, Kuehl writes.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~24781~2242362,00.html
18. Mississippi: Poor Relieved State Agency Doors will Stay Open
(“DHS clients feel relief after agency stays open,” Sun Herald, July 1, 2004)
After lawmakers voted against reauthorizing the Department of Human Services (DHS) in next year’s budget, the future of 649,239 low-income Mississippians who receive food stamps, foster care payments or other benefits from the agency, hung in the balance. However, the agency will continue operating after Hinds County Chancellor William Singletary issued an order to keep DHS in business --- a relief to people like Ashley Williams of Pear. “Without food stamps, I would have been hurting really bad,” said Williams. “The agency has helped me a lot.
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/politics/9058582.htm