Every five years, Congress renews the “Farm Bill,” a comprehensive piece of legislation that includes farm and agricultural policies and that also includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The last Farm Bill was passed in 2008. It made several improvements to help the tens of millions of people in this country who are struggling against hunger and trying to stretch limited budgets to buy healthy food.
Anti-hunger advocates can help all Members of Congress get ready for the Farm Bill 2012 by letting them know about the extent of hunger in the US and the positive roles that federal nutrition programs play in combating both hunger and obesity. Advocates can write to Members of Congress, visit Members in district offices, and invite Members to visit nutrition program sites, such as locations where SNAP outreach and application assistance is conducted.
What’s Happening on the Hill
While the Super Committee was deliberating, the principals of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees were meeting to develop recommendations for a Farm Bill which reportedly would secure $23 billion/10 years in program cuts, using the Super Committee bill as the vehicle for this Farm Bill. Reports indicated that $4 billion/10 years in SNAP cuts were under serious consideration, with those cuts coming from limitations on SNAP “Heat and Eat.” Click here for more information on SNAP “Heat and Eat” (pdf). With the failure of the Super Committee process in December 2011, this proposal was never introduced.
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