Over 1,400 organizations support FRAC’s call on US Congress to strengthen SNAP nutrition assistance

12 Jul 2024 --- The Food Research & Action Center’s (FRAC) submitted a letter urging the US Congress to protect and strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the upcoming Farm Bill, as well as in other legislations in the future. More than 1,400 national, state and local organizations in the US have signed and supported the letter.

“SNAP is our nation’s first line of defense against hunger,” says Ellen Teller, chief government affairs officer for FRAC. “Any legislative vehicle, including the Farm Bill, that presents a critical opportunity to combat food insecurity cannot move forward by weakening our key defense against hunger — we must strengthen SNAP.”

“FRAC and its network partners stand ready to oppose any legislation that would undermine SNAP’s proven effectiveness in helping 41 million people in the US afford to put food on the table. History has repeatedly shown that the only viable path to passing a Farm Bill is a strong bipartisan effort that involves all stakeholders engaged at the table.”

Among the signatories are the Alliance to End Hunger, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Child Welfare League of America, Oxfam America, Save the Children and Save the Children Action Network.

FRAC expects to see benefit adequacy, equitable access, and program administration remain “core tenets” of SNAP.Reaching all in need
FRAC expects to see benefit adequacy, equitable access and program administration remain “core tenets” of SNAP. Meanwhile, according to the organization, more can be done to ensure that the benefits reach everyone who might need them, including households with children, older adults, veterans, people with disabilities and residents of US territories.

“We will oppose any Farm Bill — including the House Agriculture Committee’s Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024 — which proposes cuts to SNAP, including restricting future Thrifty Food Plan benefit adjustments, nearly US$30 billion in cuts over ten years according to the Congressional Budget Office, in addition to provisions outsourcing administrative functions currently required to be performed by public sector merit employees,” the letter reads.

“The bill also paves the way for future efforts to undermine the equity and autonomy in how SNAP participants can use benefits in ways that meet their cultural, dietary and health needs.”

FRAC highlights the economic benefits of SNAP, pointing out that a single dollar invested in SNAP generates between US$1.50 and US$1.80 in economic activity during an economic downturn while also supporting local economies.

A study conducted in 2023 following the discontinuation of COVID-19’s additional SNAP emergency cash-like benefits resulted in the increase in food insecurity in households across the US.

The USDA 2022 Household Food Security report similarly found that US citizens are increasingly finding it difficult to afford a nutritious diet.