FRAC Chat

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, an untold number of Asian Americans have been living in fear for their lives. On top of worrying about whether they will become infected with the deadly virus, many Asian Americans also are anxious that they will become one of the growing numbers of victims of racially motivated hate crimes that have been perpetrated against them by racist, xenophobic, and otherwise ignorant people who blame Asian Americans for the pandemic. Stop AAPI Hate alone has logged nearly 3,800 hate crimes since last year, but that figure is likely higher, due to unreported cases, and is expected to grow. Anti-Asian American hate crimes existed before the pandemic, but this spike is unprecedented and its origins can be traced all the way up to the White House.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated the economic struggles of those living in poverty in Maryland, many of whom were already being forced to make difficult choices between buying food and paying household expenses.

The National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference (AHPC) is going virtual this year, from March 16–18, and you don’t want to miss ​the largest gathering of anti-hunger advocates ever! AHPC is co-hosted by FRAC and Feeding America in conjunction with the National CACFP Forum. 

Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) and 19 original cosponsors have introduced a bill to eliminate time limits on SNAP eligibility. The Improving Access to Nutrition Act (H.R. 1753) is a long overdue and permanent law change that will promote food security and equity for low-income Americans.

The School Nutrition Programs — the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program —help reduce food insecurity, support healthy eating, and are linked to improved academic achievement and attendance. According to FRAC’s new report, School Meals: The Impact of the Pandemic on 54 Large School Districts, the shuttering of schools when the pandemic began and the variety of school schedules this past fall have dramatically reduced participation and changed operations in school meals programs.