The weekly Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) News Digest highlights what's new on hunger, nutrition and poverty issues at FRAC, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around the network of national, state and local anti-poverty and anti-hunger organizations, and in the media. The Digest will alert you to trends, reports, news items and resources and, when available, link you directly to them.

1. Food Stamp Boost Considered to Help Block Possible Economic Recession
(NPR, January 11, 2008; Associated Press, January 11, 2008; Reuters, January 17, 2008)

Food stamp recipients could receive 20 percent more buying power for six months, one of several economic stimulus tactics being considered by the federal government. The food stamp suggestion, which would boost benefit levels for six months, is a method supported by former Reagan advisor Martin Feldstein in a recent Brookings Institution forum convened to address current economic trends (including the current real estate downturn and lower hiring rates nationwide). According to Feldstein, increasing food stamp benefits could proceed quickly and recipients would most likely spend benefits quickly. A few days later, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke went on record with a similar view, saying food stamps are small additions which could help stimulate the economy. Democrats view any plan as needing to be “timely, targeted and temporary.” Experts see the issues are possibly affecting voter decisions in the fall, especially among those Americans worried about their well-being.

2. Children in Food Insecure Homes at Risk for Developmental Problems
(Ivanhoe, January 16, 2008))

Authors of a new study investigating the link between hunger and development found that federal food programs like WIC and the Food Stamp Program are effective ways to ensure that children in food-insecure homes avoid health, development and behavior problems. The study, which followed families in five major cities, found that children from birth to age three who lack enough food are at high risk for problems later in life. Children in female-headed single parent homes are particularly vulnerable to food scarcity, according to the report. Lead author Ruth Rose-Jacobs, Sc.D., a pediatrics professor and researcher at two of Boston’s major medical establishments, commented on the role food programs play, saying “[l]inking families to the Food Stamp Program and/or [WIC] is an important intervention that should be recommended if indicated by risk surveillance or developmental screening.” The cities studied are in Arkansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.

3. Grant to Fund Hunger Project in Massachusetts Will Take Multifaceted Approach
(Worcester Telegram, January 9, 2008)

Calling the nation’s hunger problem “an embarrassment” and noting the United States grows “more than enough food to feed every person around the globe each day,” U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern (D-Mass.) set the stage for a project funded by the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. The congressman spoke at a gathering announcing the $2 million, three- to five-year “Hunger-Free and Healthy” project aimed at two Worcester, MA neighborhoods. The project will deliver nutrition classes to over 500 participants, who will also receive food stamp and health insurance application assistance, hunger and health screenings, and counseling. A core 50 participants will also receive 20 weeks of fresh organic produce this summer and fall. Neighborhood residents are already interested in the project, and neighborhood markets have responded by stocking more fresh produce in place of snack foods.

4. Community-Led Breakfast Program Grows, Now Managed by School District
(Kenai Peninsula Clarion, January 5, 2008)

A partnership between two local pastors and Nikiski Community Services that created and managed a school breakfast program for nine years has grown so successful, it is now managed by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD). Although more than half of the students at North Star Elementary School were receiving free or reduced-cost lunches, program creator Pastor Laura Skiba noted “the kids would come to school without breakfast and they weren’t as attentive.” Nikiski Community Services funded the breakfasts and was later joined by the local Boys and Girls Club. As more children became involved in the program, the cereal, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, juices and fruits offered for free climbed in price, and it was feared the program would run out of money. KPBSD took over the program during the school’s winter break. Under the new guidance, the program will have stricter rules, based on economic need, governing which students are eligible to receive no cost meals. Previously, no student was charged for breakfast; now, students qualifying for reduced-price lunches will pay $0.30 for breakfast, while those receiving free lunch will not be charged for breakfast. To make sure needy children don’t “fall through the cracks” in the new system, the Boys and Girls Club started giving teachers snacks to distribute. Pastor Skiba noted that the change in program management is positive: “It feels really good to pass the baton. The school district and federal government are seeing that it’s important for students to eat breakfast to stay attentive and learn in school.” KPBSD now guides 14 USDA National School Breakfast Program serving sites, providing over 120,000 school breakfasts each year. KPBSD also sponsors 28 National School Lunch Program sites, serving over 890,000 lunches per year.

5. Food Stamp Challenge Continues to Reveal Scope of Hunger Problem
(Colorado Springs Gazette, January 10, 2008)

In this letter to the editor, Care and Share Food Bank board member Richard Wood reflects on his experience trying to live on $3.72 worth of food per day. Subsisting on a diet of mostly potatoes, bread, rice, water drove home for him the need for the Farm Bill to “nourish families [and enable] them to become self sufficient” through food stamps, The Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

6. Local Rhode Islanders Struggle with Food Stamp Bureaucracy
(Providence Journal, January 9, 2008)

State Sen. Dennis L. Algiere was informed of the challenges facing potential food stamp recipients when filing for benefits in Westerly when he spoke at a meeting of the Basic Needs Network. The local food stamp office closed, requiring applicants to travel to another town in order to attend multiple office screenings and re-qualify every six months – which is difficult and time consuming, especially for residents without cars. As local employers reduce their workforce, community services are coping with more people needing food assistance as well as other services. Sen. Algiere pledged to get a RI Department of Human Services representative who can accept food stamp applications assigned to Westerly. Also at the meeting, Sonia Ferrin of the URI Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America handed out packets at the meeting which contained information on applying for benefits by mail or phone. She noted that public library workers have been trained in the food stamp application process and are available to assist residents.

7. Some Women in WIC Buy More Fresh Produce in Farmer’s Markets
(The New York Times, January 15, 2008)

Researchers found that women taking part in the WIC program who are given $10 vouchers for grocery stores or farmer’s markets will eat three times more fresh produce than women in a control group. In addition, voucher recipients who shop at farmers’ market eat more servings of fruits and vegetables compared to supermarket shoppers. WIC participants feel the farmers’ market produce is fresher and told researchers they enjoyed the experience of meeting local growers. The report, published in the American Journal of Public Health, suggested that the new WIC allotment amounts still don’t reach what’s needed – the study’s vouchers were for $10 each week, while WIC vouchers will only provide between $6-8 per month.

8. California Budget Cuts Will Affect Assistance Programs
(Monterey Herald, January 11, 2008)

Cuts in the governor’s proposed budget will make it harder for resident immigrants to access the Food Stamp Program in California. Resident immigrants counting on the Food Stamp Program, which assists the state’s seasonal job force and children through CALworks, will have to wait longer to be eligible for the assistance. The budget also calls for major cuts in other assistance programs and school spending. Monterey County director of social services Elliott Robinson called the cuts “major” and said, “If they are implemented, it will be very challenging and difficult…for children and families trying to make ends meet.”

9. Anti-Hunger Projects Effective in Raising Washington State’s Federal Food Insecurity Ranking
(Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 24, 2007)

This opinion piece by the editorial board of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer praises Washington for making progress in “providing food to everyone” and calls on Congress to include more funding for food stamps in the Farm Bill. Washington State raised its rank significantly in the 2007 federal Household Food Insecurity report. It now spends more on hunger projects, such as school breakfast and lunch programs, which contributed to its rise in ranking. Commenting on the federal report, Linda Stone of the Children’s Alliance stated “Seven years ago we were the second-hungriest state in the nation; this year we’re the 30th. That tells us that the steps we’ve taken so far are working.”

10. Pacific Northwest Families Struggle with Paying Bills and Buying Food
(The East Oregonian, January 5, 2008)

While Oregon’s rank as the nation’s “hungriest state” is improving (from last place in the late 90s), Oregon State researchers have found that pockets of food insecurity remain. More rural and Hispanic households continue to experience difficulty in keeping their families fed than urban and non-Hispanic households. Rural women in administrative support, blue collar, and service industry occupations (including, ironically, food service jobs) have a harder time battling food-insecurity than their urban counterparts in higher-level positions. Increased food stamp availability and outreach has contributed to improvements in the state’s hunger ranking, but projects like Hermiston’s Agape House are seeing hunger levels rise. Other social service agencies such as Community Action Program East Central Oregon say the state has a long way to go before eradicating hunger. (Article available through news site’s archives.)

11. Scholarships and Grants Encourage Youth to Fight Hunger
(poverty@yahoogroups.com, January 14, 2008)

The Sodexho Foundation is offering $3,000 scholarships and $3,000 grants to students who have made a significant impact in fighting hunger and its causes in the U.S. While the scholarships will go to students who meet a number of criteria, the grant money will go to a hunger-related charity of each student’s choosing. More information on the program is available at the Sodexho Foundation Web site: http://www.helpstophunger.org.

12. Alabama’s Economy May Be Booming, But Households Still Battle Poverty
(Anniston Star, January 10, 2008)

In this editorial, Jim Carnes of the Arise Citizen’s Policy Project reveals the stark contrast between Alabama’s financial growth and the state’s inability to help struggling families through food stamps, child care, earned-income tax credit, Medicaid and SCHIP. According to the Project’s report titled “Bridging the Gap,” thousands of Alabama’s working poor face problems paying bills, and lack sufficient skills and education to compete for higher paying jobs. 200,000 households with children don’t earn enough “to meet their needs without public and private assistance.” According to Urban Institute research cited by Carnes, “Only 4 (of 44) states invest less per capita than Alabama. Of our neighboring states, all invested more in low-income families than Alabama did.” Carnes calls the difference between the state’s growing economy and its promise to provide for resident’s needs a “policy gap,” and calls on legislators to improve conditions for Alabama’s working poor.

13. High Heating Bills Force Some New Yorkers to Forego Warmth
(The New York Times, January 11, 2008)

New York City residents are turning off water heaters, plugging in space heaters, and piling on blankets in response to heating oil prices reaching $3.50/gallon across the state. The State Office of Temporary and Disability Insurance helped 658,000 low-income households pay their heating costs this winter, while handing out more federal assistance than in the past due to the 30 percent rise in fuel costs. Many households have used all of their assistance, although winter has been mild so far. “I’m about three days from freezing,” noted 86 year-old Ruby Roberts. Maxine Simpson, 74, received a bill for approximately $1,200, and has started to run her water heater for just one hour in the morning and the evening. Emergency supplemental assistance may be available, as several state legislators have called on President Bush for $586 million in contingency funds.

14. Canada Plans to Keep Teens Out of Gangs – By Serving Them Breakfast
(Ashland Gazette, January 10, 2008)

A $7.7 million government grant in Ontario will combine breakfast programs with conflict resolution and other anti-gang interventions in order to tackle some of the “root causes” of teen crime. Funding will help 15 crime-prevention projects keep potential gang members in school, off drugs and alcohol, and provide mental health services in a push to work with teens “before they turn to crime.”

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