FRAC: 2007 Farm Bill Food Stamp Reauthorization Center

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Legislative Action Center

FRAC 2007 Farm Bill Food Stamp Reauthorization Center

May 13, 2008 - Farm Bill (HR 2419) fact sheets now available!

April 3, 2008 - Action Alert: A good Farm Bill nutrition title is still in the works, and there is still important work to do! (pdf)

April 2, 2008 - Nutrition Title Sign-On Letter (February 28, 2008) (pdf)

The Food Stamp Program is Part of the Farm Bill

The 2002 Farm Bill’s nutrition title reauthorized the Food Stamp Program for five years, restored food stamp eligibility for many legal immigrants, and made other program improvements. The farm bill is due for reauthorization in 2007. Lawmakers have already started the process for 2007 reauthorization.

In 2005 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held “2007 Farm Bill Forums” around the country to get public input on priorities for the 2007 Farm Bill, including Forums focusing specifically on the nutrition title of the bill. In 2006 the House and Senate Agriculture Committees began hearings to prepare for Farm Bill reauthorization and launched Web-based tools to solicit public comment. Lawmakers and nonprofit groups have hosted and/or will be hosting unofficial “listening sessions.” Now in 2007, in the new Congress, the House and Senate Agriculture Committees will hold additional hearings and will “mark up” the 2007 Farm Bill for House and Senate action. The bill is expected to be enacted by October 1, 2007.

In this FRAC Web site section you will find information on USDA forums, Congressional Committee hearings, links to testimony, and other resources as well as updates on developments as they occur. We encourage allies to speak out forcefully (in person where possible as well as by mail and e-mail) in support of the Food Stamp Program and important improvements needed.

Leave Behinds
Pass A Farm Bill with the Strongest Nutrition Title; Fund Food Stamp and TEFAP Improvements

FRAC Tips for Anti-Hunger Advocates

1) Sign on to the Organizational Letter in Support of a Strong Nutrition Title of the 2007 Farm Bill. See alert and letter.

2) Participate in 2007 Farm Bill discussions hosted in your area and/or mount your own “listening sessions;”

3) Get out a simple message—ask for a strong nutrition title of the Farm Bill (see FRAC’s ten-point comment letter or talking points on why food stamps matter for more specific suggestions);

4) Invite lawmakers to visit nutrition program sites;

5) Ask farmers, elected officials, state food stamp directors, and other stakeholders testifying at hearings or listening sessions to include comments about the importance of the Food Stamp Program and the nutrition title;

6) Share your 2007 Farm Bill suggestions and feedback with FRAC.

Framing the Debate

It is important that policymakers hear from diverse stakeholders – participants, parents, anti-hunger leaders, food bankers, state legislators, mayors, food stamp administrators, urban, suburban, and rural families, grocers, EBT vendors, teachers, health professionals, nutritionists, community-based groups, organizations serving children, elderly and disabled people, immigrant advocates, religious leaders, and others. Program participants may include those served under the Disaster Food Stamp Program as well as the regular program.

It would be most productive to recognize the positive aspects of the Food Stamp Program in addition to suggesting improvements to it. Also, it would be helpful to think about overarching, sweeping reforms to close gaps in coverage and adequacy of benefits as well as seemingly smaller changes that would improve those aspects of the program.

Feedback and Assistance

We welcome input and suggestions. For technical assistance and/or feedback, please contact evollinger@frac.org.

2007 Farm Bill Nutrition Forums – Transcripts

Testimony and Speaking Points: Farm Bill Nutrition Forums

Joel Berg – New York City Coalition Against Hunger
Valory Greenfield – Florida Legal Services, Inc.
Ruby Jonsrud – Current Food Stamp Recipient
Judy Lenthall – Kauai Food Bank (Hawaii)
Sally Mancini – End Hunger Connecticut! Inc.
Angela Martin – Oregon Food Bank
Lee Mercer – Central Coast Hunger Coalition
Edie Mesick – Nutrition Consortium of New York State
Cathy Roberts – Nutrition Consortium of New York State
Dena Speer – Current Food Stamp Recipient
Melody Steeples – California Association of Nutrition Network Activists
Linda Stone – Washington State Children’s Alliance
Kim Wade – California Association of Food Banks

2007 Farm Bill Forum USDA Press Releases

Federal Register notice, 6/17/05

USDA Officials Continue Farm Bill Listening Tour, 10/07/05

Submitting Written Comments to USDA

USDA will accept comments submitted: in person; electronically via the Internet at the USDA home page by selecting "Farm Bill Forums"; by email to FarmBill@usda.gov; or by mail to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, Farm Bill, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3355.

2007 Farm Bill Forum - Transcripts