14.3 million American households struggle with hunger
Poverty-related hunger touches every community in our country. You may not see it, but for the family down the street, it’s a daily reality.
Poverty-related hunger touches every community in our country. You may not see it, but for the family down the street, it’s a daily reality.
As a nation, we produce more food than we need for domestic consumption. And yet some go hungry. The solution lies in improving public policies that address hunger, food insecurity, and their root cause, poverty.
For five decades, FRAC has expanded the reach and quality of federal nutrition programs, the most effective way to end hunger. Yet there is much more to do.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
About SNAP
SNAP is the largest federal nutrition assistance program, and it serves as the nation’s first line of defense against hunger. SNAP provides monthly benefits to eligible low-income people to purchase food.
Why it matters
78 percent of SNAP benefits go to households with kids, elderly persons or persons with disabilities.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, & Children
About WIC
WIC provides low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children ages 1 up to age 5 with nutritious foods, nutrition education, and improved access to health care.
Why it still matters
Only 3 out of 5 people eligible for WIC actually participate. Transportation, social stigma, language, and misconceptions about eligibility are some of the problems that prevent participation.
Fueling children's minds and bodies around the clock
About Child Nutrition Programs
Nutrition programs provided at childcare, school or at afterschool and summer programs help boost children’s growth and learning.
Why it matters
Nearly 1 in 7 households with children cannot buy enough food for their families.
Food assistance programs fuel children’s minds and bodies where they live, learn, and play.
Exposed the USDA’s proposed school lunch regulation, “Ketchup as a vegetable” and helped to withdraw it.
Released Community Childhood Hunger Identification project, the most comprehensive nationwide study of childhood hunger.
Led efforts to broaden low-income children’s access to healthy school, summer, and afterschool meals, as well as childcare food.
WIC provides mothers and children with access to health care, nutritional advice, nutritious foods, and support during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood.
Led efforts to release impounded funds for WIC, launching the program’s rapid growth and nationwide reach.
Released Feeding the Other Half, a document instrumental in gaining a significant funding boost for WIC.
Helped pass a child nutrition reauthorization law that strengthened key nutrition assistance programs.
Many older adults and people with disabilities, including veterans, rely on SNAP and other nutrition programs.
Won a court order to release $35 million in impounded funds for the Elderly Feeding Program.
Helped secure more than $10 billion in added funding to the 2008 Farm Bill.
Produced research showing bipartisan opposition to cutting food assistance programs including SNAP.
Nutrition programs can help a mother provide for both herself and her children.
Organized a national coalition, Save Our Nation’s Nutrition Programs, endorsed by 500 organizations across the country.
Helped prevent deep budget cuts to food stamps and other nutrition programs.
Congress enacted FRAC’s initiative to reform the Summer Food Program nationwide.
SNAP helps families afford nutritious food and get back on their feet.
Played a key role in passing the Child Nutrition Amendments of 1978, expanding WIC and School Breakfast
Led efforts in obtaining billions of dollars in refundable tax credits for low-income working families with children.
Published research showing school meals improve food security, dietary intake, and weight outcomes.