FRAC: 2007 Farm Bill Food Stamp Reauthorization Center

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FRAC 2008 Farm Bill Food Stamp Reauthorization Center

CHANGES IN THE 2008 FARM BILL NUTRITION TITLE:
Download fact sheet from the House Committee on Agriculture. (pdf)

Highlights:
Invests $10.361 billion in nutrition programs;
Increases minimum food stamp benefit, raises and indexes minimum standard deduction, requires use of Electronic Benefit Transfer EBT (ends coupon use);
$1.02 billion funding increase for USDA Snack Program;
Creates a pilot program encouraging food stamp households to purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables.

May 22, 2008 - BREAKING NEWS

Today the Senate voted 82 to 13 to override President Bush’s veto of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419). That bill contains $10.361 billion in new ten-year funding for the nutrition title. The Senate vote follows on the May 21st House veto override vote of 316 to 108. While some procedural questions have been raised, according to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), the nutrition title of the bill is now law.

May 21, 2008 - BREAKING NEWS

More than 1,000 national, state and local organizations signed a letter urging Members of Congress to override President Bush’s veto of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419). The Farm Bill contains $10.361 billion in new ten-year funding for nutrition programs, including to raise food stamp benefits, increase food stamp benefits, and purchase more emergency food. The President’s veto occurred earlier today (see article listed below). A vote on the override is expected to occur in the House this afternoon. The timing of subsequent Senate action has not yet been set. Follow the links below for copies of the sign on letter and list of supporting organizations:

House Veto Override Coalition letter (pdf)
Senate Veto Override Coalition letter (pdf)
Override Coalition by State (pdf)
Bush vetoes farm bill, Congress may override (Reuters)

May 16, 2008 - BREAKING NEWS- Senate passes Farm Bill Conference Report by an overwhelming margin of 81 to 15.

May 16, 2008 - Click here for senator and Congressional representative statements on passage of the Farm Bill.

May 14, 2008 - BREAKING NEWS - Farm Bill overwhelmingly passes the House with a vote of 318 to 106.

To see how your member voted, click here.

Statement by Jim Weill, FRAC President, on the House Passage of the Farm Bill:

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Farm Bill by an overwhelming, veto-proof margin, 318 to 106.

Important impetus for this vote came from the Bill’s nutrition title, which makes vital and long-overdue improvements to the Food Stamp Program.

These changes will help the tens of millions of people in this country who are struggling against hunger and trying to stretch limited budgets to buy healthy food. FRAC appreciates the support of leaders and members from both parties who made this possible.

FRAC urges the Senate to follow suit and pass the bill with a veto-proof margin as well. Hungry people should not have to wait any longer for these improvements.

May 14, 2008 - FRAC News Release: Food Research and Action Center Calls for Passage of Farm Bill (pdf). “Hungry People Should Not Have to Wait Any Longer,” Says FRAC President.

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

May 9, 2008 - Agriculture Secretary Calls on Bush to Veto His Own Proposals

While the improvements made in the nutrition title of the Farm Bill may not (in their words to the press) make sense to USDA Secretary Ed Schafer and Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner, they certainly make sense to the tens of millions of Americans struggling against hunger who will benefit from higher food stamp allotments and improved access to the program. Click here for more...

May 2, 2008 - BREAKING NEWS ON THE FARM BILL:

Senate/House conferees approved $10.365 billion in new ten-year funding for the nutrition title of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) in a late night meeting last night. Conferees left open the issue of privatization of eligibility determination processes and eight non-nutrition title issues. They also noted that budget scoring due from the Congressional Budget Office may require revisiting some decisions. Another short-term extension of current farm program law (H.R. 2954) gives lawmakers until May 16th to get a reauthorization passed and signed. While behind-the-scenes negotiations are expected to continue, in the meantime conferees do not expect to reconvene for a public meeting earlier than 1pm on May 6th.

Reuters Reports on Nutrition Investments: "Two-thirds of the money in the farm bill would be spent on nutrition programs such as food stamps, the major U.S. anti-hunger program. Stewardship programs would gain $4 billion, specialty crops, $1.35 billion and biofuel development $900 million. 'These are steps that will help 10 million people,' said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut Democrat, who described changes in the food stamp program allowed by the new funding. The changes include a larger standard income deduction for food stamp recipients, raised to $144, a $10 increase, and indexed to inflation. The minimum food stamp benefit would be $14 a month, up $4, and indexed for inflation. Donations to food pantries would be raised to $240 million a year, up $100 million, and indexed to inflation.' See "White House warns farm law needs 'real reforms,'" by Charles Abbott, Reuters, 5/2/08.

Use 1-800-826-9624 to thank Members for Progress and to Build on Momentum: Call Members of Congress (via the toll-free line made available by AARP: 1-800-826-9624). Thank Members for making progress on the Farm Bill nutrition title and urge them to pass a Farm Bill with the strongest possible nutrition title, including new investments for: 1) food stamp benefit increases (especially raising and indexing the $10 minimum monthly benefit and standard deduction); 2) greater food stamp access (especially raising and indexing household asset limits); and 3) boosting purchases in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)(raising and indexing funding).

April 22, 2008 - Next Farm Bill conference meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, at 4:30 p.m. - click here for all the details.

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