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. FRAC’S State Of The States Finds Food Insecurity Increasing
2. Food Insecurity In Families, 1997-99
3. Healthy Foods A Luxury For Poor Persons, Study Finds
4. Obesity Eating Away States' Health Care Budgets
5. Phys Ed Programs Inadequate For Childhood Obesity
6. Working Poor Profiled in Book & On ABC Nightline
7. Federal Funding For Child Care Threatened
8. Federal Tax Audits Of Corporations Down
9. Congressional Hunger Center And Victory Wholesale Grocers Accepting Applications For "Victory Against Hunger" Awards
10. Oregon Governor Convenes Hunger Summit
11. California Bill To Lift Ban Against Food Stamps For Drug Felons
12. Rhode Island Governor Supports Food Stamps For Drug Offenders
13. Iowa's Wages Not Enough For Food
14. Employed And Hungry In Sacramento
15. Food Stamp Beneficiaries On The Rise In Tennessee
16. High Rates Of Birth Defects In Texas Border Counties
17. School Board Approves Healthier Menus
18. Call Centers May Replace 217 Field Offices In Texas
19. Kansas Governor Loses Bet, Ohio Students Win

1. FRAC’S STATE OF THE STATES FINDS FOOD INSECURITY INCREASING

(FRAC, April 21, 2004)

The Food Research and Action Center released its annual State of the States report this week. Updated with the latest data derived from official government sources for federal Fiscal Year 2003 and school year 2002-2003, State of the States provides a comprehensive state-by-state snapshot of the extent of hunger, and of states' use of federal nutrition resources to address needs. The report found that one in nine households experienced hunger or food insecurity, and Black and Hispanic households experienced food insecurity at double the national average. "Broader use of [federal food assistance] programs has been shown to reduce hunger, reduce obesity, reduce infant mortality, get children ready for school, and help children achieve more and behave better in school," said FRAC President Jim Weill. "For virtually every domestic challenge our country faces, expanding use of the programs should be a linchpin in the response."

http://www.frac.org/html/news/Press_Release_04.21a.04.html

For report (in PDF): http://www.frac.org/html/news/State of the States.2004.pdf

2. FOOD INSECURITY IN FAMILIES, 1997-99

(Economic Research Service, March 2004)

The Economic Research Service released a report tracking from 1997 to 1999 the food security of families with children under age 13. While the overall rate of food insecurity changed only slightly, the experiences of individual families changed significantly during the study period. Family situation was found to influence food security. Families with several children and headed by a single, young person tended to be food insecure. Immigrant families and families headed by less educated or disabled individuals were also more likely to be food insecure or become food insecure. The study determined that food stamps are an effective support for families without enough to eat. Families tend to become food insecure when they leave the program, even if they were previously food secure.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EFAN04001/

3. HEALTHY FOODS A LUXURY FOR POOR PERSONS, STUDY FINDS

(The Charleston Gazette, April 19, 2004)

" The idea of giving poor people more money, so they can buy more healthful food, has not been a popular one. Governments are more likely to pass laws to test kids' body fat at school and send the results home (Arkansas), or ban junk food from school vending machines (California and New York City), require physical education in schools (Louisiana) and pay for ad campaigns urging people to 'Put down chips and trim those hips' (West Virginia)." But obesity among those without enough to purchase adequate healthy foods is a question of economics, more and more research is showing. A study in the January American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that lower-calorie, high nutrient foods cost more per calorie than cheaper, high-calorie foods. Because of their economic situation, parents forgo meals in order to provide food for their children, and teenagers do the same for younger siblings. But studies show these periods of fasting result in over-eating when food does become available. This article also cites reports from the United Kingdom, France, and USDA.

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/Healthwatch/

4. OBESITY EATING AWAY STATES' HEALTH CARE BUDGETS

(StateLine.org, April 8, 2004)

Obesity now creates almost as much expense for state health budgets as tobacco-related diseases, according to an Issue Brief by the National Governors Association. Some states have responded by taxing sodas, encouraging exercise, and focusing on students' eating habits to curb childhood obesity. Texas has taken the strongest position in the nation against junk food in schools. California has had a law since 2001 against candy and soda vending machines in schools. Physical activity is the focus in Colorado and South Carolina.

http://www.stateline.org/stateline/?pa=story&sa=showStoryInfo&id=363165

5. PHYS ED PROGRAMS INADEQUATE FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY

(Stateline.org, April 9, 2004)

While an increasing number of states are battling childhood obesity by taking action against junk food in schools, physical education programs remain sorely underdeveloped. Only 6 to 8 percent of schools nationally provide all students with the recommended daily physical education class, despite a guideline from the Centers for Disease Control that children exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. While several state legislatures have passed resolutions favoring more exercise, only two have actually boosted physical education programs in recent years. Pressures to have students do well on achievement tests and state budget shortfalls have pulled resources away from physical education programs. But students who are more physically active are more likely to do well in school, according to George Graham, president of the Association for National Sport and Physical Education.

http://www.stateline.org/stateline/?pa=story&sa=showStoryInfo&id=363521

6. WORKING POOR PROFILED IN BOOK & ON ABC NIGHTLINE

(ABCNews.com, April 22, 2004)

Former New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize-winner David Shipler's book "The Working Poor" documents how one event in the lives of the working poor, such as a missed payment or calling in sick, can bring about financial ruin. Shipler's work inspired a three-part series on ABC's Nightline about the working poor. Each installment tells the story of a family living on the edge of poverty, despite having at least one member working full-time. The series began April 15.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/Business/Nightline/working_poor_040422-1.html

To order a transcript: http://www.transcripts.tv/search/do_details.cfm?ShowDetailID=21337

7. FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CHILD CARE THREATENED

(New York Times, April 10, 2004)

More than 400,000 children will lose federally-funded child care in the next five years unless Congress devotes more funding to the program in the reauthorization of welfare. Currently, federally supported child care serves only 15 percent of low-income families eligible to receive it. More funding from Congress would help struggling families stay off welfare. The House version of the TANF (welfare) reauthorization bill allocates a mere $1 billion over five years in additional funds to child care. The Senate version calls for $6 billion.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/10/opinion/10SAT3.html

8. FEDERAL TAX AUDITS OF CORPORATIONS DOWN

(The New York Times, April 12, 2004)

Corporations are far less likely to be audited now than 10 years ago, according to an independent study by the Internal Revenue Service. 7.3 percent were audited in 2003, compared to 29.7 percent in 1993. Data from Syracuse University found that the agency's resources for law enforcement are half what they were in 1988. The low audit rate adds to news from the General Accounting Office which found that sixty percent of large corporations paid no corporate taxes from 1996 to 2000.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40E16FA3A5C0C718DDDAD0894DC404482

Data available at: http://trac.syr.edu

9. CONGRESSIONAL HUNGER CENTER AND VICTORY WHOLESALE GROCERS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR "VICTORY AGAINST HUNGER" AWARDS

(Congressional Hunger Center, February 23, 2004)

The Congressional Hunger Center and Victory Wholesale Grocers are currently accepting applications for the Twelfth Anniversary "Victory Against Hunger Awards." Twenty-five $1,000 grants will be given to anti-hunger and community-based organizations across the nation. This year's theme is "Fighting Hunger through Improving Access to the Food Stamp Program." Applicants must demonstrate that an innovative Food Stamp outreach campaign resulted in higher food stamp participation, thereby reducing hunger in their community. For more information on applying, visit the link below.

http://www.hungercenter.org/chc/news7.htm

10. OREGON GOVERNOR CONVENES HUNGER SUMMIT

(Statesman Journal, April 17, 2004)

Governor Ted Kulongoski convened Oregon's second annual Hunger Summit, which brought together leaders of business, government, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations. The Governor said, "This is about eliminating hunger. This is not just about alleviating it." Summit participants discussed a 5-year plan to end hunger in Oregon. Even though the state has a relatively low poverty rate, it has one of the highest percentages of food insecure families in the nation. Patti Whitney-Wise, director of the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force, believes the problem is due to high housing, health care, and child care costs. Proposed solutions discussed at the summit included increasing food stamp participation and offering more affordable housing.

http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article_print.cfm?i=78775

11. CALIFORNIA BILL TO LIFT BAN AGAINST FOOD STAMPS FOR DRUG FELONS

(San Francisco Chronicle, April 18, 2004)

The 1996 federal welfare law passed in 1996 includes a lifetime ban on TANF (welfare) and food stamp benefits for drug felons unless the state legislature lifts or modifies the law. Many states have. A bill may now lift the ban in California. Both the California Narcotics Officers Association and California Police Chiefs Association support the bill. The current federal prohibition punishes a person for life and is particularly harmful for a single parent with children. Denying food stamps also increases the chance of recidivism.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/04/18/EDG4H65J681.DTL

12. RHODE ISLAND GOVERNOR SUPPORTS FOOD STAMPS FOR DRUG OFFENDERS

(The Providence Journal, April 23, 2004)

Rhode Island Governor Carcieri last month publicly voiced support for lifting the federal ban on food stamp benefits to drug felons. A bill currently pending in the state legislature would take the option to lift the ban. Many of the people who are currently ineligible because of the federal ban are minority women with children, notes one advocate. A similar bill to allow food benefits for drug felons had passed previously in the state legislature, but was vetoed by then Governor Almond.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20040423_food23.1aa97e.html

13. IOWA'S WAGES NOT ENOUGH FOR FOOD

(Des Moines Register, April 5, 2004)

The belief that people go hungry due to their own shortcomings is an all too common attitude that Sister Sandra Rodemyer, director of the Emergency Food Pantry of the Des Moines Area Religious Council, encounters. However, Iowa's wages are part of the true cause. The state's paychecks fall in the bottom third nationally. In order to afford a 2-bedroom apartment in the state, a worker should earn at least $9.96 an hour. Yet, 140,000 people in the state are making $7.15 an hour or less. "I shouldn't even have this job; this pantry shouldn't even need to be in existence," says Rodemyer. The state hopes that raising food stamp participation from the current 54 percent will help. The Department of Human Services has made major changes to increase participation, including relaxing reporting requirements for working families. The hope is to raise participation 15 percent. The increase would bring an additional $22 million of federal money to Iowa.

http://desmoinesregister.com/life/stories/c2127777/23969949.html

14. EMPLOYED AND HUNGRY IN SACRAMENTO

(The Sacramento Observer, April 13, 2004)

Having a job and housing does not guarantee food on the table, finds the Sacramento Hunger Commission's report "Hunger Hits Home." The report aims to mobilizes lawmakers to protect current anti-hunger programs and sponsor new ones. State Assemblyman Darrel Steinberg has introduced a bill which seeks to increase food stamp participation by abolishing some outdated requirements.

http://www.sacobserver.com/news/041304/sacramento_feeding_hungry.shtml

15. FOOD STAMP BENEFICIARIES ON THE RISE IN TENNESSEE

(The Jackson Sun, April 18, 2004)

The number of people receiving food stamp benefits in Tennessee rose 11 percent from 2003. The Department of Health Services provided $68 million in benefits in March 2004, compared to $60 million in March 2003. Seventy-five percent of the people receiving food stamp benefits are employed, but not earning enough to support themselves and a family. One official linked the statewide increases to lay-offs of holiday seasonal workers and general unemployment.

http://miva.jacksonsun.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?NEWS/news_story.mv+link=200404186052212

16. HIGH RATES OF BIRTH DEFECTS IN TEXAS BORDER COUNTIES

(MySanAntonio.com, April 9, 2004)

Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, appear in higher rates among Mexican-Americans living in Texas counties along the U.S.-Mexico border than in the general population. The state health department cites a number of causes, with poverty having a particular influence. The absence of potable water and sewage systems is also a factor. The health department has found that women who experience diarrhea from contaminated water during pregnancy are 14 times more likely to have a fetus with neural tube defects. One proven measure to reduce the risk of fetal neural tube disorders is to increase a mother's folic acid intake during pregnancy. One public health official recommends an intense folic acid outreach program.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA09.01A.birth_defects_0409.f6180fd.html

17. SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES HEALTHIER MENUS

(NBC30.com, April 19, 2004)

The New Haven School Board is taking aim at obesity by cutting cookies, chips, and soda from school menus. Schools will be required to offer low-fat dairy products, water, natural fruit juice, and fresh fruit for purchase. Soda in vending machines will be replaced by water, juice, and milk. The school board also authorized $19 million for a new kitchen and asked schools to emphasize physical activity. Children in kindergarten through 5th grade will be required to have at least 20 minutes of physical activity per day.

http://www.nbc30.com/print/3020388/detail.html?use-print

18. CALL CENTERS MAY REPLACE 217 FIELD OFFICES IN TEXAS

(The Paris News, April 20, 2004)

Call centers may soon be replacing field offices to determine eligibility for Texas' Health and Human Services programs. The change would affect such programs as food stamps, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The proposed state agency restructuring would close as many as 217 field offices, cut 4,500 staff, and merge a dozen offices into four. The restructuring is designed to cut costs and provide greater accessibility for rural residents, but field officers are concerned that customer service will suffer.

http://www.theparisnews.com/story.lasso?wcd=12904

19. KANSAS GOVERNOR LOSES BET, OHIO STUDENTS WIN

(CJOnline.com/Topeka Capital-Journal, April 22, 2004)

Governor Sibelius of Kansas placed a bet with Governor Taft of Ohio on January's Tostito's Fiesta Bowl, when Kansas State squared off with Ohio State. Ohio State won 35-28 in that game, bringing Gov. Sibelius to the Buckeye State to serve breakfast to 160 children at a Columbus, Ohio elementary school this week. She was joined by Gov. Taft. The Children's Hunger Alliance sponsored the event.

http://www.cjonline.com/stories/042204/kan_wager.shtml

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Helen Yuen
Food Research and Action Center
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 540
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Email: hyuen@frac.org