FRAC News Digest - October 22, 2004

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 39, October 22, 2004

Federal Food Assistance in FY2004 May Set New Record
State-by-State Food Stamp Participation Access Rates Released
1 in 4 Working Families Struggling to Make Ends Meet
Food and Medicare Eluding Low-income Seniors
Food Stamp Public Service Announcements Downloadable and Customizable
Nominate a "Hunger Hero"
Wealth Gap Widens for Blacks and Latinos
Long-term Unemployed Without Benefits Hits Record 3 Million
Women 40% More Likely than Men to be Poor
Low-income Voters Could Have Record Turnout
Feeding Homeless Children and Youth Gets Easier
Hunger Documentary on ABC October 24
School Health Guidelines Released
Grants Available from the Great American Bake Sale
$1 Investment in Early Child Development Gives $2 Return
Wisconsin: Food Stamps Get New Name and Online Tool
Washington: More Children In School Meal Program Benefits Health and School
New Mexico: Governor Outlines Plan Against Childhood Obesity
New Jersey: City Children Getting Poorer, Services Falling
Nevada: Voters to Decide on Minimum Wage Increase

1. Federal Food Assistance in FY2004 May Set New Record

("Food Assistance Landscape, September 2004," Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, October 2004)

Expenditures for USDA's 15 food assistance programs totaled $23.3 billion during the first half of fiscal 2004 (October 1, 2003, to March 31, 2004), an 11 percent increase over the first half of fiscal 2003. If this trend continues during the second half of fiscal 2004, expenditures for the entire fiscal year will surpass the record $41.8 billion spent on food assistance in fiscal 2003. (The previous record was $38.1 billion set in fiscal 1996). Five programs --- the Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the School Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program --- accounted for almost 95 percent of USDA's total expenditures for food assistance. While each of these programs expanded during the first half of fiscal 2004, most of the increase in total expenditures was due to the expansion of the Food Stamp Program.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/fanrr28-5/

2. State-by-State Food Stamp Participation Access Rates Released

("Food Stamp Participation Access Rates State-by-State," Food Research and Action Center, October 2004)

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has calculated state-by-state "participant access rates (PARs)" for calendar year 2003. The PARs measure the extent to which low-income people are participating in the Food Stamp Program. In September 2004 FNS recognized states for superior achievements, including the states with the highest PARs and the states with the most improved PARs. The food stamp participation access rate averaged 61 percent nationally in 2003, up four percentage points over 2002. (The PARs are distinguished from "the official participation rates," which take into account not only income but other eligibility criteria, such as citizenship status and household resources. Determining the official rate entails a significant lag time; calculation of the PAR allows a more timely assessment of recent participation trends.) PARs are one basis for monetary awards that USDA makes under the high performance bonuses established in the 2002 Farm Bill. Other categories for bonus awards relate to timeliness of processing, low negative error rates, and payment accuracy.

http://tinyurl.com/4wft2

3. 1 in 4 Working Families Struggling to Make Ends Meet

More than one in four working American families now earn wages so low they struggle to survive financially, according to a new report funded by the Annie E. Casey, Ford and Rockefeller foundations. The report finds many of the 9.2 million working families hold jobs with low pay and no benefits. In these families are 20 million children. The study defined low-income as a family of four that earned less than $36,488 in 2002, significantly less than the median U.S. income of $62,732 for a family of four. Too many working families are insufficiently served by federal and state policies in such areas as education, training, health care, and tax and wage policies, writes the report. It concludes that greater national and state-level attention is needed to address the problems confronting low-income working families. "As a country, we must act now to ensure that our investments generate enough skilled workers to keep the economy thriving. Doing so will lead to an increased tax base, in effect a return on our investment, and reduce the costs imposed by low wages and poverty," the report notes.

Download the report "Working Hard, Falling Short":
http://www.aecf.org/initiatives/jobsinitiative/ workingpoor/working_hard_new.pdf

"1 in 4 working families is low income, study finds," Chicago Tribune, October 12, 2004

http://tinyurl.com/6ukpy

4. Food and Medicare Eluding Low-income Seniors

("Not Poor Enough," New Yorker, October 25, 2004)

Cassie, now 76, began working when she was 15 and raised five children. She currently lives in an Alexandria, Virginia residence for low-income seniors. Like her, the other residents were not born into advantage. They worked as hairdressers, food-service workers, private-school teachers, auto mechanics, and housekeepers. They struggle to pay for food, health care, rent, and other expenses. Cassie receives "ten dollars a month in food stamps, the amount given to individuals who have a net income between $434 and $1,236 a month. Ten dollars has been the monthly minimum payment since 1978; advocates for the poor have been trying, without success, to raise it to twenty-five dollars." Covering basic health care expenses is difficult because often their income is "a couple of hundred dollars a month too high for them to qualify for Medicaid.

http://www.newyorker.com/main/magazine/

5. Food Stamp Public Service Announcements Downloadable and Customizable

(US Department of Agriculture)

Radio public service announcements on food stamps were recently made available on the USDA website. Partners can customize the spots with local contact information. Says "Mom" in the 30-second "Eat Smart, Play Hard" ad: "Keeping my kid's nutrition in line is never easy --- especially when things like rent and bills eat up every last bit of my paycheck. That's where food stamps can lend a hand. They help me keep good nutritious food on my family's table, even when times are tough. Find out today if you qualify." Meanwhile, "Alice" and "Sam" are the stars of the 60-second "At the Market" spot. And "Theresa," who participates in the WIC Program, hears about food stamps in the 60-second "Advice from Mom" ad. The link below provides an audio clip and written transcript for all three public service announcements.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/radio.htm

6. Nominate a "Hunger Hero"

("Hunger Heroes," US Department of Agriculture, 2004)

The Food Stamp Outreach Coalition announces the Hunger Heroes Program, a program established to honor local offices that provide exemplary service in assisting eligible clients obtain food stamps. Any individual, agency or organization who has worked, observed or has personal experience with a local food stamp office that provides exemplary service to food stamp clients and or applicants may nominate that office to be honored as a Hunger Hero. Nomination forms will be available in local food stamp offices, and various web pages such as the Food Stamp Program's outreach pages, World Hunger Year, American Public Human Services Association and the Food Research and Action Center. All nominations for this year's awards must be submitted by March 1, 2005. For an online nomination form, visit the link below.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/heroes.htm

7. Wealth Gap Widens for Blacks and Latinos

("Wealth Gap Widens for Blacks, Hispanics," Washington Post, October 18, 2004)

Minority families have lost significant ground to whites in terms of household wealth during the 2001 recession and the sluggish recovery since, according to a recent report by the Pew Hispanic Center. The net worth of Hispanic and black households fell 27 percent from 1999 through 2001, while white household wealth rose 2 percent during the same period. As of 2002, the latest year for which data are available, the median household net worth was $7,932 and $5,998 for Hispanic and Black families respectively, while the median white family had more than 10 times either amount -- $88,651. Nearly a third of blacks and over a quarter of Hispanic households had zero or negative net worth in 2002, compared with 13 percent of white households. Fewer assets mean minority families have fewer resources to cover such major expenses as retirement, college tuition, and housing down payments. "The recession and jobless recovery had enormous costs," said Roberto Suro, director of the Pew Hispanic Center. "It will take many decades, at the rate we're going, to make any substantial progress toward closing the wealth gap," said Lawrence Mishel, president of the Economic Policy Institute.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40455-2004Oct17.html

Download the report "The Wealth of Hispanic Households"
http://tinyurl.com/4yyxc

8. Long-term Unemployed Without Benefits Hits Record 3 Million

("Number of Unemployed Who Have Gone Without Federal Benefits Hits Record 3 Million," Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, October 13, 2004)

Since late December 2003, when the federal Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation program stopped providing additional aid to individuals exhausting their regular unemployment benefits, an estimated three million individuals have gone without federal unemployment benefits, receiving neither a paycheck nor an unemployment check. September marked a record-setting 24th month that more than one in five of the unemployed were experiencing long-term unemployment, defined as being out of work for 27 weeks or more. Figures released October 8 by the Labor Department showed long-term unemployment rose from August to September, totaling 1.747 million long-term unemployed people --- one million more long-term unemployed than when the downturn officially began in March 2001.

http://www.cbpp.org/10-13-04ui.htm

9. Women 40% More Likely than Men to be Poor

("Reading Between the Lines: Women's Poverty in the United States, 2003," Legal Momentum, October 2004)

A female 18 years or older in the United States is 39 percent more likely to be poor than a man, according to a new report from Legal Momentum. The report's analysis of Census poverty data found that almost one of every eight women is poor, compared to about one of every eleven men. In 2003, 13.8 million adult women and 9.2 million adult men were poor. The statistics reveal a deep gender gap in poverty rates, even after taking into account factors such as work experience, education, or family structure. Legal Momentum's report shows women 65 or above are 71 percent more likely to be poor than older men, and female high school graduates 43 percent more likely to be poor than male graduates. The Bureau's annual report breaks down poverty rates by categories such as age and race, but has so far resisted doing an analysis by gender.

http://www.legalmomentum.org/news/pr10-13-04.shtml

Download the report "Reading Between the Lines: Women's Poverty in the United States":
http://www.legalmomentum.org/womeninpoverty.pdf

10.Low-income Voters Could Have Record Turnout

("Campaign 2004: Vote by poor may skyrocket this year," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 12, 2004)

In 2002, 80 percent of families with incomes greater than $75,000 annually voted, compared with just 25 percent of families with incomes less than $10,000. But political scholars and voting experts are predicting a strong turnout among low-income voters in 2004 -- in part because of a massive effort by a range of political and grassroots organizations to register new voters in poor and minority neighborhoods. The Statewide Poverty Action Network, a nonprofit group, found during its canvassing efforts in ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Auburn and Kent, Washington, that a surprising number of people were already registered to vote, but generally did not do so because they "felt politicians don't pay attention to them," said network director Aiko Schaefer. A little-known provision of the Voter Registration Act may also boost turnout among low-income voters. The provision requires agencies providing food stamps, disability services, Medicaid, and welfare assistance to offer clients the opportunity to register.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/194817_poorvoters12.html

11. Feeding Homeless Children and Youth Gets Easier

("Federal Resources for Feeding Homeless Children and Youth," Food Research and Action Center, October 2004)

Federal child nutrition programs that serve homeless and runaway children and youth received a boost under the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act passed by Congress in June 2004. FRAC outlines the expansions in a new analysis posted on its website. The Act clarifies automatic eligibility for free school meals to homeless and runaway children, streamlines procedures to document the population's eligibility for free meals, grants full school year eligibility for free school meals, and increases the age limit for reimbursement of children's meals in shelters under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) so that more children can be served.

http://tinyurl.com/5bpw9

12. Hunger Documentary on ABC October 24

("ELCA In Hunger Documentary To Air Beginning Oct. 24 On ABC-TV," Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, September 22, 2004)

"Hunger No More: Faces Behind the Facts" is a new television documentary that examines hunger in the 21st century from a faith perspective and offers possible solutions. The one-hour program, which includes stories about hunger ministries related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is scheduled to begin airing Oct. 24 on ABC-TV stations throughout the United States. The program suggests that hunger is more than a social issue. "It is a moral issue that needs immediate resolution," said Burton Buller, president of Mennonite Media. Many ABC-TV stations have committed to air "Hunger No More." Air dates and times are available from ABC-TV affiliates or from http://www.interfaithbroadcasting.com

http://www.elca.org/Scriptlib/CO/ELCA_News/encArticleList.asp?a=2910&p=9

13. School Health Guidelines Released

("Health, Mental Health, and Safety Guidelines for Schools," schoolhealth.org, 2004)

The newly released "Health, Mental Health and Safety Guidelines for Schools" is an online compendium intended for school administrators, stakeholders, or advocates of school health and safety efforts. The compendium was developed by health, education, and safety professionals from more than 30 different national organizations; parents; and other supporters. Lead organizations were the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses. Topics include nutrition and food services, recommendations about school health advisory councils, access to school meals, afterschool snacks, and summer food, nutrition standards, and competitive foods.

http://www.nationalguidelines.org/index.cfm

14. Grants Available from the Great American Bake Sale

(Great American Bake Sale)

Share Our Strength is currently accepting applications for Great American Bake Sale grants in the following states: AR, AZ, CO, MI, NH, NJ, OK, SD, VA, and WV. The grants are designed to increase the number of children participating in afterschool and summer nutrition programs subsidized by the federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or the National School Lunch Program (NSLP); or afterschool snack programs subsidized by the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) or the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The deadline for applications submitted by organizations in these states is November 20, 2004. The application process for Great American Bake Sale 2005 grants in all other states will resume in the Spring of 2005. To view eligibility guidelines, visit the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/4xsvj

15. $1 Investment in Early Child Development Gives $2 Return

("Exceptional Returns: Economic, Fiscal, and Social Benefits of Investment in Early Childhood Development," Economic Policy Institute, October 2004)

Investments in high quality early childhood development (ECD) programs would more than pay for themselves, generating greater than $2 in returns to taxpayers for every $1 invested, according to a new report from the Economic Policy Institute. The report also finds that investment in the health and education of children 3 and 4 years old will eventually produce significant increases in economic productivity and growth, and contribute to the solvency of Social Security, while reducing both the public costs and personal burdens of remedial education, welfare, crime, and widespread poverty.

http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/books_exceptional_returns

Download the report:
http://www.epinet.org/books/exceptional/exceptional_returns_(full).pdf

16. Wisconsin: Food Stamps Get New Name and Online Tool

("New name, access for food stamps," Green Bay News Chronicle, October 16, 2004)

Wisconsin has changed the name of its Food Stamp Program to Food Share Wisconsin. The old name is outdated now that participants use an electronic benefit card. The old name also carries stigma. State officials hope the name change will increase program participation. In addition, Wisconsin launched Access, a new website that asks simple questions to see what benefits, from Food Share to Badger Care (health insurance), a person might be eligible for based on age, health, and income. Increasing enrollment in Food Share Wisconsin is good for the state, said Kenneth Munson with the state Department of Health and Family Services: estimates show that every $5 in federal food benefits generates approximately $9.20 in economic activity. Michigan and Minnesota have also changed their state programs' names. Michigan printed brochures with the food stamp designation and one with the new name. The brochure with the new name proved much more popular, with people generally shying away from the other brochure.

http://www.greenbaynewschron.com/page.html?article=128092

17. Washington: More Children In School Meal Program Benefits Health and School

("Hot, hearty - and free," Longview Daily News, October 14, 2004)

The number of Washington state students eligible for free and reduced price meals rose 5 percent from 2002-03 to 2003-04, and less paperwork may be a factor. A new computer system used by the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction matches families eligible for food stamps with the free and reduced meal program, eliminating paperwork. In Wallace, Washington, a "Breakfast Club" that meets in a classroom every morning is helping students get a free breakfast, get to school, and socialize. "It's a fun place for the kids," said Karen Brackney, who has two children in the club. For some Wallace elementary students, school breakfast and lunch may be the only meals they get all day long. An increase in free and reduced price meal enrollment benefits the school because it leverages extra programs. For example, at Wallace, the staff connects reading and math to the meals programs. Sometimes parents and students are provided a free meal and encouraged to work together on schoolwork.

http://www.tdn.com/articles/2004/10/14/top_story/news01.txt

18. New Mexico: Governor Outlines Plan Against Childhood Obesity

("Governor outlines plans," Carlsbad Current-Argus, October 16, 2004)

Restoring physical education in the schools; providing more nutritious, healthy meals in the school lunch program; and teaching students to establish a lifetime of healthy habits are part of a state health plan outlined recently by Governor Bill Richardson. The initiatives target the increasing problem of youth obesity in the state. Richardson said 17 percent of elementary students, 52 percent of middle school students, and 43 percent of high school students are overweight. He said chronic disease associated with obesity costs the state more than $320 million each year.

http://www.currentargus.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=495&num=9573

19. New Jersey: City Children Getting Poorer, Services Falling

("Number of Poor City Kids on the Rise as State Supports Fall, ACNJ Report Says," Association for Children of New Jersey, September 29, 2004)

New Jersey’s poorest and most vulnerable children – those living in the cities – fared worse than statewide averages in 20 of 26 indicators of child well-being, according to a report released by the Association for Children of New Jersey, a statewide child advocacy organization. Although more city children lived in poverty in 2000, the number receiving nutritional supports has dropped in recent years. The number of city children receiving food stamps fell 7 percent from 1999 to 2004, compared to 2 percent statewide. “Essentially, the neediest children now have an even slimmer chance of receiving the nutrition essential to their growth and development and their success in school,” the Association's Cecelia Zalkind said. Welfare reform moved many families from welfare to low-paying, unstable jobs, but they still need assistance to feed their families. Access to assistance is limited because state agencies have failed to adapt to their working schedules. Very few county welfare offices, for example, have weekend or evening hours.

http://www.acnj.org/main.asp?uri=1008&ni=54

20. Nevada: Voters to Decide on Minimum Wage Increase

("Could You Survive on $10,712 a Year?", Las Vegas Review Journal, October 17, 2004)

About 51,000 workers in Nevada make the federal minimum wage of $5.15 an hour, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), and that is not enough to support a family. On November 2nd, Nevada voters will decide whether the state minimum wage should increase $1 to $6.15 an hour for employers that do not provide health benefits. The issue is "about eating...not about buying a house," said Danny Thompson, executive secretary and treasurer of the Nevada AFL-CIO. If voters approve the measure, the wage hike would not take effect until January 2007.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Oct-17-Sun-2004/business/24879989.html