FRAC News Digest - May 13, 2005

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.

Issue 19, May 13, 2005

Secretary Johanns Reiterates Administration's Support of Food Assistance Programs
GAO Report Finds Food Stamp Program Efficiency at All Time High
Senator Tom Harkin Releases GAO Report on Food Stamp Program
Cornell University Professor Calls Food Stamp Program Only Uniform Safety Net
Op-Ed: U.S. Military Families Quietly Struggle with Bills, Some Seek Emergency Food
Op-Ed: Food Stamp Program Cuts Would Undermine Important Safety Net
Wages Fail to Keep Pace with Inflation, While Productivity Continues to Rise
Op-Ed: Former Senators Dole and McGovern Promote School Meals Programs
New Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Benefits May Replace Some Food Stamp Benefits
Florida: Children's Summer Nutrition Bill Passes Legislature
Washington: Summer Meal Program Expands to Feed 50,000 Children This Summer
Pennsylvania: 15 School Districts Awarded Environmental Nutrition Strategies Grants
Maine: Lawmakers Consider Options on School Nutrition Bill
Kids Count Report Finds 35 Percent of Detroit Children and Families Live in Poverty
Wisconsin: Group Conducts Survey of Working Poor Families, Many Struggle to Pay Bills
Pennsylvania: Food Stamps Available for Residents of Counties Affected by Spring Flooding
Washington: Expo Highlights Numerous Healthy Foods Options for Schools

1. Secretary Johanns Reiterates Administration's Support of Food Assistance Programs

("Transcript of remarks by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns At the USDA-USAID International Food Aid Conference Kansas City, Missouri," USDA Transcript, May 3, 2005)

In this transcript of remarks made by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns at the USDA-USAID International Food Aid Conference in Kansas City, MO, Secretary Johanns notes that 59 percent of his department's budget relates to food aid (e.g., the Food Stamp Program, WIC, school lunches, international food aid) -"very, very important areas for us. This President's been very supportive of these programs at a time again where his focus, all of our focus should be on deficit reduction. He's really stepped up to the plate on that part of the budget, and I think increased funding, and in addition in some areas even tried to build in a contingency fund. I applaud him for that…a very strong compassionate statement," said Secretary Johanns.

http://tinyurl.com/b6bok

2. GAO Report Finds Food Stamp Program Efficiency at All Time High

("Food stamp error rate 'record low' in '03," The Washington Times, May 5, 2005)

The amount of inaccurate payments in the Food Stamp Program reached a record low, according to a report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The error rate in the program was found to be 6.6 percent in 2003, a significant improvement over the 9.8 percent rate in 1999. And most of those errors are not eligibility for people who are ineligible, but payments that are too high or too low. Kate Coler, deputy undersecretary of food, nutrition and consumer services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said that reducing the error rate "is something we've worked hard on with our state partners over the years," and program simplification measures passed by Congress as part of the Farm Bill gave new tools to do that. Coler also noted that "more than 98 percent of participants are eligible for the benefit." Ellen Vollinger of FRAC said more caseworkers and training could lower the error rate further.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050509-094335-1698r.htm

3. Senator Tom Harkin Releases GAO Report on Food Stamp Program

("Harkin Releases Report on Food Stamp Program, Efficiency at an All-Time High," May 5, 2005)

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), released the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report showing that the Food Stamp Program has reached its highest level of efficiency in history, that continued improvements are expected, and that the data contradict suggestions of high rates of "fraud, waste and abuse" in the program. The increase in payment accuracy also comes at a time of rapidly rising participation in the program. "The Food Stamp Program is doing precisely what Congress designed it to do - delivering needed benefits to over 25 million Americans, the vast majority of them children, the elderly, and working families. This is not the time to be cutting the program back and hurting those that benefit from it," said Senator Harkin. He noted that the report confirms that "significant budgetary savings cannot be squeezed" from the program.

http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=237281

See the entire report ("Food Stamp Program: States Have Made Progress in Reducing Payment Errors and Further Challenges Remain"):

http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-245

See highlights of the report:

http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d05245high.pdf

4. Cornell University Professor Calls Food Stamp Program Only Uniform Safety Net

("Prof Predicts Future of Food Policy," Cornell University Daily Sun, May 6, 2005)

At the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs Spring 2005 Colloquium, Professor Christine Ranney spoke about the past, present and future of U.S. food policy for low-income people. Ranney pointed out that 20 percent of Americans are affected by at least one of the major federal food assistance programs. Ranney also said that the Food Stamp Program is the only uniform safety net program left in the United States. "Wherever you live in the country, you will get assistance," she said. In discussing the history of food assistance, Ranney said the end of World War II, and the beginning of the Eisenhower administration was a time when people realized that there was a lot of domestic poverty and the Food Stamp Program was implemented. Ranney predicted that "the need for food stamps will grow relatively dramatically."

http://tinyurl.com/77ypw

5. Op-Ed: U.S. Military Families Quietly Struggle With Bills, Some Seek Emergency Food

("We owe military families protection," New York Newsday, May 5, 2005)

In this op-ed, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Representative Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills), of the House Armed Services Committee, highlight the difficulties facing the families of military personnel facing extended deployments. Many families are making "a hidden sacrifice, quietly struggling to pay rent and mortgages, fending off harassing creditors; some even eating in soup kitchens." Long Island military families are using soup kitchens and applying for food stamps.

http://tinyurl.com/d2bsz

6. Op-Ed: Food Stamp Program Cuts Would Undermine Important Safety Net

("Guest column: Food stamps unfairly devoured by politics," Spokane Spokesman-Review, May 4, 2005)

In this op-ed piece, Linda Stone counters the argument that federal budget cuts could come from reducing "fraud, waste and abuse" in the program. Eric Bost, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for Food and Nutrition Services, "told Congress that the error rate in the Food Stamp Program is at the lowest in the program's history." Much of the recent improvement to the program is due to modernization efforts: a move to electronic benefit transfer cards; simplified reporting requirements; and vehicle and asset policies reflecting current realities and supporting savings. At the same time, Congress is pushing for tax cuts in excess of $100 billion, 53 percent of which are going to households with incomes over $1 million, according to the Urban Institute-Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center. She also points out that 20,000 Spokane residents rely on the Food Stamp Program, locally known as the Basic Food Program, and their benefits bring more than $40 million per year into Spokane County grocery stores.

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/Opinion/story.asp?ID=67650 (free registration required)

7. Wages Fail to Keep Pace with Inflation, While Productivity Continues to Rise

("Balance of power shifts to the employers," Financial Times, May 10, 2005)

In the last several years, wages have been failing to keep pace with inflation across the nation. Productivity has been steadily increasing, but most of the economic gains have gone to employers. Since 2001, productivity has been rising at an annual rate of 4.1 percent, while wage growth has averaged just 1.5 percent. This means that workers received just over a third of the benefit of rising efficiencies. Over the prior seven business cycles, workers received about 75 percent of the benefit of increasing efficiencies. For workers like Miguel, a hotel banquet server who hasn't seen a pay raise that kept pace with the cost of living since Bill Clinton was president, this means giving up a two-bedroom apartment for a one-bedroom apartment to share with his wife and two children.

http://tinyurl.com/86txt

8. Op-Ed: Former Senators Dole and McGovern Promote School Meals Programs

("Eat Well, Learn Well," The Washington Post, May 6, 2005)

In this op-ed piece, Robert Dole and George McGovern, former U.S. senators and board members of Friends of The World Food Program, say that school meal programs are one of the most effective ways to fight child hunger, alleviate poverty and promote education. They also point out that such programs help improve academic performance and enjoy strong bipartisan support in Congress. Former Senators Dole and McGovern note they have been working together to promote programs such as the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program for more than 40 years.

http://tinyurl.com/7an4s

9. New Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Benefits May Replace Some Food Stamp Benefits

("Under New Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, Food Stamps May Be Reduced," New York Times, May 8, May 8, 2005)

A new reading of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, set forth in a document sent to Congress by the Bush administration, says that elderly people with low incomes may lose some or all of their food stamp benefits if they sign up for the Medicare prescription drug plan. They would lose some food stamp benefits because the amount of money they would be spending on drugs would decrease, leaving them more money to spend on food, said administration officials. The new Medicare prescription drug plan begins in January 2006. In the 2003 debate on the drug bill, members of Congress said the high cost of drugs was forcing many seniors to choose between food and medicine. The Administration says seniors will more than come out ahead: the drug benefit will exceed the lost food stamps.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/08/politics/08drugs.html (free registration required)

10. Florida: Children's Summer Nutrition Bill Passes Legislature

("What passed and what failed," St. Petersburg Times, May 8, 2005)

This summary of what passed and failed during the regular session of the Florida legislature includes the Children's Summer Nutrition Bill. This bill requires that a summer site to provide food for low-income children be located within 5 miles of all elementary schools where a majority of the students are eligible for the free and reduced-price school meal programs.

http://tinyurl.com/8e5ol

See Florida Impact's web site for more information on the Children's Summer Nutrition Bill:

http://tinyurl.com/bh9r8

11. Washington: Summer Meal Program Expands to Feed 50,000 Children This Summer

("Expanded summer meals program will feed Auburn kids," King County Journal, May 12, 2005)

The Auburn School District, the city parks and Recreation Department and two churches are expanding the summer breakfast, lunch and snack program so that they can reach all children in the city. More than 50 percent of Auburn school children currently receive federally-funded free and reduced-price school meals during the school year. Last year, King County served summer meals to 6,192 children each day. Statewide, 137 sponsors at 618 sites served an average of 35,335 children daily.

http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/206753

12. Pennsylvania: Food Stamps Available for Residents of Counties Affected by Spring Flooding

("PA DPW: Streamlined Application Process for Food Stamps, Crisis Counseling Available to Flood Victims at Disaster Recovery Centers," PRNewswire, May 5, 2005)

Pennsylvania residents in counties affected by recent spring flooding can apply for food stamp benefits at Disaster Recovery Centers coordinated by federal and state emergency management officials. "Our food stamp process makes it much quicker to go through eligibility verification, which means that benefits can be expedited for people whose homes and livelihoods have been affected by flooding," said Estelle B. Richman, Pennsylvania Public Welfare Secretary.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050505/phth030.html?.v=10

13. Maine: Lawmakers Consider Options on School Nutrition Bill

("Legislators Talking Compromise On Child Obesity Bill," News 8 WMTW, May 6, 2005)

Lawmakers in Maine are scaling back a bill under consideration that would have required changes to the school lunch menu. Instead, the provision being considered would require schools to post calorie information for a la carte items, nutrition education, and 75 minutes of physical education every week for elementary and middle school students.

http://www.wmtw.com/news/4454573/detail.html

14. Kids Count Report Finds 35 Percent of Detroit Children and Families Live in Poverty

("Report: Detroit's poverty tops rural Mississippi," Detroit Free Press, May 6, 2005)

A report by Kids Count in Michigan examining 10 measures rating social and economic risks found that Detroit children suffer under poverty levels worse than those living in rural Mississippi. Among children and families in Detroit: 35 percent live in poverty, compared to 31 percent in rural Mississippi; 63 percent spend 30 percent or more of their incomes on housing, compared to 49 percent in rural Mississippi; and 20 percent live in homes without a car, compared to 10 percent in rural Mississippi. The city and state need to take drastic measures to ensure the next generation's ability to rise above its current social and economic standings, says Carol Goss, chief executive officer of the Skillman Foundation, a Detroit-based foundation that supports children's programs.

http://www.freep.com/news/locway/kids6e_20050506.htm

15. Wisconsin: Group Conducts Survey of Working Poor Families, Many Struggle to Pay Bills

("Working poor scrape by," Janesville Gazette, May 6, 2005)

Community Action, an anti-poverty group in Rock and Walworth counties, conducted a survey of 963 households living between 50 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level. 62 percent of the survey's respondents were employed. Among households with an employed member, 92 percent said they had trouble paying monthly bills. Among single-parent households, 20 percent said they had been homeless at some point in the previous year. "We'd like to believe that if somebody works hard, they will be able to be self-sufficient," said Lisa Furseth, Community Action executive director. "The reality is that there are just large numbers of jobs that don't pay wages that allow families to do that."

http://www.gazetteextra.com/communityaction050605.asp

16. Pennsylvania: 15 School Districts Awarded Environmental Nutrition Strategies Grants

("Pennsylvania Departments of Education, Agriculture Award School Nutrition Grants," PR Newswire, May 3, 2005)

Fifteen school districts across Pennsylvania were awarded a total of $87,000 in grants going to schools interested in implementing environmental strategies for improving students' food choices. Strategies include: encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption, encouraging healthy beverage consumption, and pricing strategies to encourage healthier choices. An evaluation component will examine student purchases of healthier food options, revenue and school meals participation.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050503/phtu024.html?.v=8

17. Washington: Expo Highlights Numerous Healthy Foods Options for Schools

("Schools peruse healthy snacks: Expo ideas in time to meet new law," The Olympian, May 7, 2005)

With an August deadline looming for Washington schools to enact policies that address the nutritional content of all food sold in state schools, the Northwest Healthy Food Expo was a chance for school officials, students, and agencies to learn more about healthy options. At the expo, 48 regional and national healthful food vendors promoted products such as low-calorie crackers and chips, 100 percent fruit juices and homemade organic muffins. The new state law due to go into effect in August also requires school districts to come up with a plan to bolster health, fitness and overall wellness education. The state law and a similar federal law, which goes into effect July 2006, have developed out of the growing concern over childhood obesity.

http://159.54.227.3/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050507/NEWS01/505070335/1006