Talk to an Expert

Director of SNAP: Salaam Bhatti
Bio

Topics: SNAP

Story Ideas

• • SNAP is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger.
  • The Farm Bill presents an opportunity for Congress to pass the legislation needed to help address alarming hunger rates.
  • The Closing the Meal Gap Act would boost SNAP benefits for all participants and make further improvements.
  • The Improving Access to Nutrition Act would eliminate three-month time limits on SNAP eligibility for certain working-age adults who cannot document sufficient hours of work.
  • The Enhanced Access to SNAP Act, or the EATS Act, would put college students with lower incomes on an equal footing with other people in qualifying for SNAP.
  • The Hot Foods Act would permanently end the prohibition on the use of SNAP benefits to purchase hot-prepared foods from food retailers.
  • Lift the Bar Act seeks to restore access to public programs for lawfully present immigrants by removing the five-year waiting period and other restrictions to SNAP eligibility.
  • Restore Act would repeal the lifetime federal ban on individuals with felony drug convictions from receiving SNAP.

SNAP Deputy Director: Gina Plata-Nino | Bio

Topics: SNAP, College Hunger

Story Ideas

• • Millions of college students nationwide rely on SNAP  as a critical resource for accessing food to fuel their health and learning.
  • Research consistently demonstrates that SNAP improves the health, nutrition, and well-being of millions of households.
  • Too many college students struggling against food insecurity face obstacles in accessing SNAP.
  • The Enhanced Access to SNAP Act, or the EATS Act, would put college students with lower incomes on an equal footing with other people in qualifying for SNAP.

Director of D.C. Hunger Solutions: LaMonika Jones | Bio

Media Contact: Brittani Riddle, briddle@frac.org

Topics: Grocery Store Access, D.C. Hunger (School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Afterschool Nutrition Programs, Summer Nutrition Programs)

Story Ideas

• • Closing the grocery store gap in the nation’s capital. 
  • Scorecard report reveals too many district students are missing out on the benefits of school meals.
  • The No Senior Hungry Omnibus Amendment Act will go a long way to address the alarming rates of food insecurity among seniors in the District.
  • The Give SNAP A Raise Amendment Act will be a significant step forward in ensuring thousands of D.C. residents have access to healthy food.

In the News

• • Sun Bucks aims to combat ‘summer hunger’ kids can face when school’s out (Maryland Matters)
  • ‘Hunger doesn’t take a break’: USDA’s SUN Bucks program aims to help Md. families through the summer (WTOP)
  • Cuts to Federal Food Assistance Will Hurt Residents Just As DC Enters Recession (DC Fiscal Policy Institute)
  • Temporary pause on federal grants, loans spurs confusion, concern among DMV groups (WUSA9)

WIC Deputy Director: Kate Scully | Bio

Topics: Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Story Ideas

• • WIC is a lifeline for nearly 6.5 million pregnant and postpartum women and young children, including roughly half of all infants born in the U.S.
  • WIC’s enhanced Food Package to strengthen program participation and improve health outcomes.
  • How FRAC and partner organizations secured$7 billion in critical funding for WIC.
  • Ensuring WIC remains fully funded to protect access to essential nutrition resources and support, including healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals.