• More than thirty-five million Americans —12.4 million of them children — still live in households that face a constant struggle against hunger, according to food insecurity data for 2005—the latest available data—reported by the U.S. Census Bureau and USDA (See FRAC's press release and ERS report).

• In Hunger and Homelessness Survey 2007, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) reported that, across its survey cities, 17 percent of all people in need of food assistance and 15 percent of households with children were not receiving it. Click here for the press conference materials from USCM.
  

• Increasing the food stamp participation rate helps local economies as well as recipients; each $5 in federally funded benefits generates approximately $10 in economic activity. See Economic Research Service of USDA report.

• Implementing Farm Bill Improvements
  The 2008 Farm Bill (P.L. 110-246) makes important investments in the Food Stamp Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Effective October 1, 2008, the law increases food stamp benefits for many households, including those who receive the minimum monthly benefit, households of three or fewer persons, and households with high dependent care costs. It improves asset rules by not counting education and retirement savings accounts against households’ food stamp eligibility. It renames the Food Stamp Program nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).


• The 2002 Farm Bill (P.L. 107-171), among other things, reauthorized and improved the Food Stamp Program. Modest increases in benefit levels in 2002 for families with children and restoration of eligibility for nearly 400,000 legal immigrants in spring and fall 2003 represent important advances. Under the law states also were given important opportunities to simplify certain program rules and reporting procedures, options that can make these nutrition benefits more accessible to low-income working families with children.
  
  See FRAC's publication: "Get Ready for Food Stamp Reauthorization Changes in Your State."
  

• Help get the word out to newly eligible legal immigrants. Click here for leaflets in six languages (including English).
  

• Making Good Choices
  States have many other tools available to get more nutrition benefits to vulnerable people. These range from continuing food stamp benefits for those transitioning from cash assistance and extending office hours, to conducting outreach campaigns to connect more eligible people with the program. See FRAC's publication Good Choices in Hard Times for more information.
  

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