What's New....
President Obama includes extension of SNAP (food stamp) benefit boost in his budget
April 10th - With nearly one in five Americans struggling to afford enough food for their households, President Obama’s FY2014 proposed budget (released today) seeks to further strengthen federal nutrition programs. The President wants to restore a cut to monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits made in 2010 and scheduled to take place this November. This means low-income households would not see their SNAP benefit amounts decrease.
Small Children and Vulnerable Senior Citizens to Lose Needed Nutrition Benefits
March 1st - It is estimated that over 600,000 vulnerable individuals served by WIC will be eliminated from the program between March and September as a result of sequestration. WIC provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant women, infants and children under the age of 5 years old.
In addition, the White House stated that over 4 million fewer meals will be delivered to seniors through Meals on Wheels. The Meals on Wheels Association estimates that nearly 19 million fewer meals will be served due to sequestration. Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals to chronically ill, frail and homebound seniors. Meals on Wheels is a critical service to these vulnerable seniors, providing more than 50% of their daily food.
Congress could not come to a budget compromise, so an automatic $85 billion reduction in federal spending (sequestration) went into effect as of March 1st.
NJ Makes Progress in Fighting Childhood Hunger with School Breakfast
January 15th -New Jersey was one of just 10 states to achieve a double-digit increase in the number of children receiving a healthy breakfast at school, according to a new national report released today by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).
While the state still ranks a concerning 46th nationally, New Jersey districts are finally making progress toward ensuring children receive school breakfast, which can help improve their chances for school success.
To read the report, click here. School Breakfast Scorecard
