Senior Hunger Awareness Month celebrated in April and Older Americans Month in May, are key times to reflect on the transformational role increased SNAP benefits have played in the lives of older adult participants during the COVID-19 pandemic.The tangible benefits of pandemic SNAP benefit boosts for older adult participants are detailed in a recent FRAC study commissioned by the AARP Foundation.
From April 25–29, FRAC is celebrating Every Kid Healthy Week—spearheaded by Action for Healthy Kids—to spread awareness about children’s health and well-being.
Food security is one of the most important factors in determining the health of a child. It is more than just filling their bellies. Access to food supports healthy brain function, fuels children’s growing bodies and minds, and aids in emotional and social development.
With Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits taken into account, SNAP benefit redemptions topped $125 billion in FY 2021, according to new data from USDA. That represented a 61 percent increase over the prior year.
The new retailer redemptions data underscore the important impact SNAP, temporary boosts to SNAP, and P-EBT have been having on mitigating food hardship and boosting economic activity during COVID-19.
Work around the 2023 Farm Bill is picking up. House Agriculture Committee hearings are already underway. Senate Agriculture Committee field hearings in Michigan and Arkansas are expected later this spring.
A recent Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Summit highlighted the important roles the nutrition title and an united rural/urban coalition will play in getting a Farm Bill passed by Congress and signed into law.
Join FRAC in educating policymakers and the public about the importance of SNAP and making investments for a strong nutrition title in the 2023 Farm Bill.
New data released by USDA indicate that 7 million people eligible for SNAP– or nearly 1 in 5– went unserved in an average month during Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2019.
“SNAP Gaps” in participation among eligible people are particularly pronounced for certain states and demographic groups. According to USDA analysis, just about half of eligible people participate in SNAP in some states.
More can and should be done to make progress in closing SNAP Gaps.
