Parents and teachers know that children can’t learn on an empty stomach. Yet that’s what they’re facing if the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t act immediately to release funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Millions of schoolchildren across the country will go to bed hungry and wake up unprepared to start the school day.
To better understand the discussion of how to manage the shutting down of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, it is important to understand how issuance happens behind the scenes. Below is a step-by-step layout of the process involved in authorizing issuances, making issuances available to recipients, and redeeming benefits in stores.
The Trump administration has demonstrated urgency in funding other priorities, but not the same commitment to protecting low-income families’ access to food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
October 13–17 is National School Lunch Week, a celebration highlighting the history of the National School Lunch Program and showcasing the critical role school meals play in children’s health and learning. School meals are vital public health programs, associated with improvements in students’ diet and academic achievements, and serving as an important outlet for American food and agriculture.
This week, October 12–18, is Farm to CACFP (Child and Adult Food Program) Week, the national education campaign that aims to raise awareness of the benefits of connecting child and adult care sponsors and operators with local foods.