FRAC Chat

Winter weather has started hitting many northern states early this year, requiring households to allocate more of their resources for heating their homes. SNAP and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are two of the resources that help low-income households afford to “heat and eat” during winter. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has proposed a rule that will make SNAP less responsive to those needs.

It is well-established that food insecurity contributes to poor health, poor disease management, higher health care utilization, and increased health care costs. This is especially true for people with special health care needs, such as cystic fibrosis.

CF, which affects an estimated 30,000 people in the U.S., is a genetic disorder that causes persistent lung infections and over time limits the ability to breathe. The condition results in damage to the lungs as well as complications for the digestive system and other organs. People living with CF have complex medical needs requiring specialized care and treatment, including consuming a diet high in calories. Living with CF can be very expensive due to high out-of-pocket costs, which can further complicate and compound the challenges that patients and their families face.

National participation in the Afterschool Nutrition Programs — which are key to closing the hunger gap that exists afterschool for many children across the country — continues to grow, according to a new FRAC report.

Despite signs that the U.S. is experiencing modest progress in driving down rates of food insecurity and poverty, it’s evident that far too many households still struggle to meet basic needs, like food and utilities. Ignoring that fact, the Trump administration has proposed its third Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rule this year, this one threatening to deepen the heating or eating dilemma for many more low-income households.

It’s National School Lunch Week, and we want to celebrate all the school districts that have adopted community eligibility!