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 36, September 12, 2005

1. FRAC Provides Up-to-Date Information About Nutrition Assistance for Hurricane Katrina Victims
2. Food Stamp Participation in June 2005 Grew to 25.5 million – 1.3 Million Above June 2004 Level
3. Press Release: USDA Announces First Two Farm Bill Forums That Will Focus on Food Stamps
4. Letters to Leaders of Senate Agriculture and Finance Committees Request Delay in, or End to, Efforts to Cut Food Stamps and Other Programs
5. Editorial: Hurricane Underlines Reasons Not to Cut Food Stamps
6. Letter-to-the Editor: If Food Stamps Are Cut, Hunger in American Will Increase
7. Editorial: People Are Losing Ground While President Claims They Are Well Off
8. Editorial: Steps Required to Improve Workers’ Lives
9. Michigan: Food Stamps Needed to Keep Residents Out of Poverty
10. Washington: Food Banks Will Not Be Able to Cover for Cuts in Food Stamp Program
11. Oregon: Nation Will Become More Aware of American Poverty
12. USDA and HHS: Residents of Facilities for Recovering Drug and Alcohol Addicts May Retain Food Stamp Benefits
13. USDA Awards $9 Million to Promote Student Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
14. Editorial: Governor Schwarzenegger Should Sign Bill Ending Fingerprinting for Food Stamps
15. Eating Breakfast of Oatmeal Enhances Schoolchildren’s Test Results, Study Found

1. FRAC Provides Up-to-Date Information About Nutrition Assistance for Hurricane Katrina Victims

("FRAC Special: Hurricane Katrina Center," Food Research and Action Center, frac.org, September 2005)

Very substantial support from federal nutrition programs is available to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, both in the states directly hit and in states receiving evacuees. Federal, state and local officials can work with non-profit and private sector partners to maximize food stamps, school meals, and child care food, summer and afterschool food and WIC benefits for those affected by this catastrophe, including in the areas to which they have relocated. Assuring that states and service providers make maximum use of these programs and conducting outreach to potential recipients can help provide essential support for vulnerable people. The Food Research and Action Center has launched a special section of its website to assist Hurricane Katrina victims with access to the federal nutrition safety net. It contains summaries and links for information on best practices and rules for getting nutrition program assistance to those affected by the hurricane. FRAC will continue to post new information about nutrition assistance for Hurricane Katrina victims as it becomes available.

http://www.frac.org/html/disaster/disaster_index.html

2. Food Stamp Participation in June 2005 Grew to 25.5 million – 1.3 Million Above June 2004 Level

(“Food Stamp Participation in June 2005: More than 1.3 Million Above June 2004 Level,” Food Research and Action Center, September 12, 2005)

Food stamp participation rose by 99,206 people in June 2005 to 25,507,695, for an over-the-year increase of over 1.3 million people. June marked the third monthly caseload increase in the first six months of 2005. Food Stamp Program growth has been reflecting continuing joblessness and low wages for many Americans, state and local actions to improve program access, and the effects of the implementation of the 2002 food stamp reauthorization. Participation has risen in 47 of the last 54 months. Compared to a year earlier, participation in June 2005 rose in the District of Columbia and all but five states.

http://www.frac.org/html/news/fsp/05.06_FSP.html

http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/fslatest.htm (USDA data as of August 24, 2005, “Food Stamp Program: Number of Persons Participating”)

3. Press Release: USDA Announces First Two Farm Bill Forums That Will Focus on Food Stamps

(“Johanns and Other USDA Officials Continue Farm Bill Listening Tour,” usda.gov, September 8, 2005)

USDA announced the first two Farm Bill Forums that will focus on the nutrition title of the Farm Bill and “complement the 2007 Farm Bill Forums that Secretary Johanns has been holding since July to address all parts of the Farm Bill.” These forums will be hosted by Food Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Eric Bost on September 29 in New York City, New York, in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House Auditorium from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (EDT) and on September 30 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, at the Little America Hotel from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (MDT). Senior USDA officials are holding a series of public forums at various locations to obtain public input for the development of the 2007 Farm Bill. The next forums Secretary Johanns will conduct this month on the Farm Bill–general are on September 14 in Salt Lake City at the Utah State Fair, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (MDT); on September 15 in Grand Island, Nebraska, at Husker Harvest Days from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (CDT); on September 20 at the Farm Science Review in London, Ohio, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EDT); and on September 22 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the State Fair from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CDT). The public is also invited to submit comments at United States Department of Agriculture - Farm Bill Forums.

4. Letters to Leaders of Senate Agriculture and Finance Committees Request Delay in, or End to, Efforts to Cut Food Stamps and Other Programs

 (Food Research and Action Center, frac.org, September 12, 2005)

These two letters stress the reasons not to cut food stamps. A September 6th letter signed by Senators Smith (R-OR), Bingaman (D-NM), Snowe (R-ME), and Lincoln (D-AR) requests an indefinite delay in consideration of the portion of reconciliation concerning cuts to programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, WIC, housing and education. At the time when “the need for help is immense” in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, “it is prudent and necessary to delay action that would ultimately reduce available funding and possibly divert the focus of program staff from relief efforts toward implementation of legislative changes,” stressed the senators. In a September 7th letter to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Rep. Saxby Chambliss, and the Ranking Member Tom Harkin, 24 lawmakers (including Senators Smith (R-OR), Dole (R-NC), Specter (R-PA), Collins (R-ME), DeWine (R-OH), Snowe (R-ME), Chafee (R-RI), and Hatch (R-UT)) urged the committee “to keep cuts to federal food assistance programs as close to zero as possible and oppose changes in reconciliation that would jeopardize the integrity of federal nutrition programs.” The letter underlined, “The Food Stamp program serves as the first line of defense in the national battle against hunger. Food banks, private charities, and local communities are not equipped to replace lost food stamp benefits. Cuts to the program would disproportionately impact the neediest individuals in our society.”

http://www.frac.org/pdf/agreconciliation05.pdf (September 7th Letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman and Ranking Member)

http://www.frac.org/pdf/reconcilation05delay.pdf (September 6th Letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley (R-IA))

5. Editorial: Hurricane Underlines Reasons Not to Cut Food Stamps

(“Keep Food on the Table,” sfgate.com, September 8, 2005)

The first thing authorities did in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was to get food stamps to victims. Yet, Congressional budget-cutters might undermine this 40-year old “tried-and-true” program by cutting the program’s funding, argues this editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle. Congressional committees dominated by farm-state politicians might deprive more families, elderly, and disabled persons of needed groceries to safeguard farm subsidies. “The scenes of huge throngs of refugees from Hurricane Katrina offered Americans a disturbing reminder of the deep and entrenched poverty in this nation of vast prosperity. Hitting the poor isn't any way to pay for a hangover caused by a tax-cutting binge in Washington. Food stamps should be taken off the table during budget negotiations.”

http://tinyurl.com/7hm4k

6. Letter-to-the Editor: If Food Stamps Are Cut, Hunger in American Will Increase

(“Food Stamp Cuts Would Hurt Children, Elderly,” star-gazette.com, September 2, 2005)

“Recent polls show an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that hunger in this country is unacceptable. Well, if hunger is unacceptable, then a budget cut that would increase hunger is unacceptable,” writes Paul Hesler of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in his letter to the editor of the New York state’s Star Gazette. Congressional budget-cutters have targeted the Food Stamp program. But the program has an all-time low error rate, benefits are modest, and eligibility rules are strict. Cutting the program means further reducing eligibility or benefits. “Food stamp recipients cannot afford to have their benefits reduced or taken away. If the program is cut, hunger in America will increase,” argues Hesler.

http://tinyurl.com/8fm6j

7. Editorial: People Are Losing Ground While President Claims They Are Well Off

(“Struggling to Get By,” sptimes.com, September 5, 2005)

Despite stagnant wages, lost benefits, and increasing poverty three years into the economic recovery, as the U.S. Census Bureau reported recently, President Bush continues to describe the economy as strong. His recent statement that "Americans have more money in their pocket" contradicts the Census data that shows poverty grew from 32.9 million persons in 2001 to 37 million in 2004 and the number of working poor increased by 563,000 last year. Only the richest 5 percent of the nation's households saw their income grow. Incomes for all others failed to rise for the fifth consecutive year. Commerce Department economics chief Elizabeth Anderson told the New York Times that the poverty rate "is the last, lonely trailing indicator of the business cycle." This is the type of denial of reality that leads Congress into cutting programs for the poor and producing other alien to economic realities policies, argues this St. Petersburg Times editorial. “These are people who are losing ground, and they include working families who can't get health care for their children or whose incomes are so low they qualify for food stamps. These are people who find that their 40-hour work weeks simply aren't enough.”

8. Editorial: Steps Required to Improve Workers’ Lives

(“Honor Workers by Helping Them Improve Their Lives,” desmoinesregister.com, September 5, 2005)

American workers do not feel too honored on this Labor Day, and Iowa workers are not an exception. With rising health care costs, flat incomes, less flex time, and longer working hours, it is getting harder to pay higher prices for everything from college to groceries to gasoline. Yet Congress is considering cuts to programs - such as food stamps and Medicaid - that help not only the poor, but a growing number of moderate-income families, this DesMoines Register editorial points out. “In the spirit of doing right by workers,” the lawmakers should instead: implement a national health insurance program, like Medicare; improve public schools; invest in public amenities such as parks and libraries; and institute a fair tax system and economic policies that result in growing wages not only for CEOs, but for American workers, the newspaper argues.

http://tinyurl.com/bxzfq

9. Michigan: Food Stamps Needed to Keep Residents Out of Poverty

(“Advocates Fight Cuts in Food Stamps,” detnews.com, September 9, 2005)

Michigan advocates for food assistance are calling on Congress to avoid cutting the federal food stamp program, an important safety net in this state with a stagnant economy. Nearly one in 10 Michigan residents receives food stamps, and the number of those who rely on them has increased 75 percent since 2000. Michigan also is accepting Hurricane Katrina evacuees who will need food as well. The state is concerned about the Bush administration’s proposal to remove a state option that allows Michigan and 10 other states to offer food stamps to families with incomes slightly over the poverty line. If adopted, this measure might increase poverty among vulnerable residents. “Food assistance is one of the things that keeps people out of poverty," said Marianne Udow, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services. "These are not people who are well off . . . . Without food assistance, they will slip into poverty and be on the streets and need more homeless shelters, more food banks, and those are services that already are stretched, especially with the victims of Hurricane Katrina."

http://www.detnews.com/2005/metro/0509/09/B01-308513.htm

10. Washington: Food Banks Will Not Be Able to Cover for Cuts in Food Stamp Program

(“Hunger Programs Fight Cutback in Food Stamps,” heraldnet.com, September 1, 2005)

According to representatives of an anti-hunger coalition in Washington, if Congress cuts back the food stamp program, Snohomish County food banks will not be able to make up the difference. A recent report of the Children’s Alliance in Seattle found that an estimated 42,000 Snohomish County residents use food stamps, while the state of Washington has more than half a million food stamp recipients, according to the Alliance’s Linda Stone. Any cuts to food stamps “will have a dramatic impact on the vulnerable families and individuals we serve in this community,” said Bill Humphreys of the Volunteers of America, which distributes food to 19 food banks in the county. Food banks provide only a supplemental food supply and they are already exceeding their limits, he pointed out. A recent survey of the Everett Food Bank, which serves 32,000 households, found that more than half of its customers had to ration their food, so each family member has something to eat. Moreover, for a rising number of low-wage workers, having a job no longer guarantees that their families will have sufficient food.

http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/05/09/01/100loc_hunger001.cfm

http://www.childrensalliance.org/4Download/hunger/FoodStampsWAfinal.pdf (report, “Food Stamps: Supporting Healthy Families and Communities in Washington,” by the Children’s Alliance)

11. Oregon: Nation Will Become More Aware of American Poverty

(“Oregonians Say Disaster May Raise Awareness of Poverty,” oregonlive.com, September 4, 2005)

The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina will cause more Americans to realize the real scale of poverty in America, hope Oregonians who work with the poor. “They’re [the poor] not all living in New Orleans," Jerry Croft of the Salem Housing Authority said. "They are everywhere." He estimated that if a similar disaster happened in Salem, there easily could be 20,000 people who would not have means to pay for housing. Phillip Kennedy-Wong of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon noted that a recent report by the U.S. Census showed an increase in poverty nationally. "Domestic tax policies divert money away from Medicaid and food stamps, which is why we are seeing a rise in poverty," he said. "It's coming to roost."

http://tinyurl.com/9hecz

12. USDA and HHS: Residents of Facilities for Recovering Drug and Alcohol Addicts May Retain Food Stamp Benefits

(“USDA and HHS Help Ensure Access to Nutrition Assistance for Individuals Residing in Faith-Based and Community Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers,” usda.gov, September 6, 2005)

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt issued a joint letter to governors about access to food stamps for individuals residing in faith-based and community drug and alcohol treatment centers. Johanns stated, "Individuals trying to recover from their addictions should not have to choose between effective treatment programs or retaining their food stamp eligibility. [There should be] no barriers to vital nutrition assistance." The letter stressed that a facility for recovering addicts does not need to be licensed by the state in order for its residents to receive food stamps. If a facility is recognized by the State's Medicaid agency as providing rehabilitating services to drug addicts and/or alcoholics, its residents do not lose their food stamp benefits and the facility itself may be an authorized food stamp retailer. Secretary Leavitt said all governors have been informed that “there should be no barriers to Food Stamp participation for successful and proven recovery models such as those often used by faith-based and community treatment centers."

http://tinyurl.com/7jk2m

13. USDA Awards $9 Million to Promote Student Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

(“USDA Awards $9 Million to Promote Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Schools,” usda.gov, September 2, 2005)

Nine million dollars will go to 225 schools in eight states and three Indian Tribal Organizations (ITO) to promote greater consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced. The schools are in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington as well as schools at Zuni Pueblo of New Mexico, the Intertribal Council of Arizona and the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. An evaluation of the Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program in four states and one ITO from the 2002 Farm Bill showed that the program improved students' eating habits and increased their awareness of and preference for fruits and vegetables. The 2004 Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act made the program permanent and expanded it.

http://tinyurl.com/7n8ez

14. Editorial: Governor Schwarzenegger Should Sign Bill Ending Fingerprinting for Food Stamps

(“Bill to End Fingerprinting For Food Stamps Deserves Signature,” mercurynews.com, September 7, 2005)

Many more of the 5 million poor Californians should be receiving food stamps. Only 39 percent of those who are eligible get them – the lowest rate in the nation. One of the reasons for this low participation is too much paperwork. In addition, all adult applicants are required to be fingerprinted. This harsh burden is used in only three other states. A bill headed to the governor’s desk would drop finger imaging for food stamp applicants in California. Governor Schwarzenegger’s position on this bill has not been made public, but it should be to sign it. Some people cannot take time from work for fingerprinting, while others feel humiliated by the procedure. Many, especially immigrants, are afraid that the government may turn over the prints to the INS. Meanwhile, the transition from paper food stamps to electronic benefit cards eliminated whatever black market existed for food stamps and made fingerprinting – viewed as a defense against program abuse – unnecessary.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/12579076.htm
(free registration required)

15. Eating Breakfast of Oatmeal Enhances Schoolchildren’s Test Results, Study Found

(“Breakfast Is A Bright Idea,” washingtonpost.com, August 30, 2005)

The Journal of Physiology and Behavior published results of two experiments by Tufts University psychologists that focused on the connections between the kind of breakfast children eat in the morning and how well they learn. The study involved 60 children. The experiments not only showed that eating breakfast versus skipping it produced better test results, but discovered that students performed better on the tests when they ate oatmeal than when they had a Cap’n Crunch cereal breakfast. Eating a bowl of oatmeal, children ages 9-11 enhanced their spatial memory which relates to doing puzzles, drawing, and geography, as well as some technical skills used in math and science. The researchers suggest that oatmeal’s mixture of protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates might account for the enhanced performance. The research was funded by Quaker Oats, maker of both products used in the study.

http://tinyurl.com/9en3l

http://tinyurl.com/cetc3 (the Journal of Physiology and Behavior article, “Effect of breakfast composition on cognitive processes in elementary school children,” cost is $30)

For news tips, suggestions, comments, contact Olga Doty at odoty@frac.org

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