FRAC - Statement by President Jim Weill on 2007 Poverty Numbers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	CONTACT:
Tuesday, August 28, 2007	Jennifer Adach, 202-986-2200 x3018

Statement by Jim Weill, President of the Food Research and Action Center

on the Release of the 2006 Federal Poverty Numbers

Total Poverty in 2006 | Child Poverty in 2006 | Total Poverty by Race | Child Poverty by Race

August 28, 2007 – In 2006, 12.3 percent of Americans – 36.5 million people – lived in

poverty, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released today. While this was a

slight decrease from last year, still poverty is more widespread today than it was in

2001. The rising costs of energy and food mean that many low-income households

find their budgets growing tighter.

“35 million Americans face a constant struggle against hunger. Anti-hunger groups across the country see continued need in their communities, especially with the rising cost of food. Just over the past year, food costs have increased nearly 4 percent. Despite the long overdue boost in the minimum wage, these rising costs mean that more households find themselves struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table,” said Jim Weill, FRAC president. “We need to do more to make sure that households have access to healthy food by improving and expanding programs that help.”

“That’s why it’s especially important for Congress to increase investments in our federal nutrition programs when they have the opportunity to do so. The House passed significant improvements to the Food Stamp Program in the nutrition title of the Farm Bill. It would raise the minimum benefit level and make it easier for households to access the program. We urge the Senate to further increase investments in the nutrition title.”

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The Food Research and Action Center (www.frac.org) is the leading national organization working for more effective public and private policies to eradicate domestic hunger and undernutrition.