Share Our Strength: No Kid Hungry

Currently, Congress is reauthorizing the Farm Bill and in doing so, drastic cuts have been proposed to the Supplemental Nutrition Assitance Program, also know as SNAP and formerly known as food stamps. In the recent economy, families have been through extremely difficult times and wondering where their next meal may come from is incredibly stressful. If the proposed cuts are made, many families will lose the government’s support. More importantly, children across this country may go hungry because of that lost support.

The SNAP program provides families (with at least 4 people and with an income of $23,000 or less per year) with an opportunity to buy fresh produce and more food in order to keep their families fed and healthy. We all know how important a good meal is for the mind, body and soul. At this time in our society, it is even more important to keep folks hopeful and positive.

Additionally, I am a big proponent of shopping locally, and for every SNAP dollar spent, a $1.79 is returned to the economy, primarily on a local level. It even gives folks an opportunity to shop at local farmers markets and participate in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs (if they are authorized SNAP programs). These are great ways to keep food fresh and local. Also, SNAP dollars can be used to purchase seed packets and plants, which with the rise of home gardens in urban, suburban, and rural areas, can really give a great yield of healthy foods to families. We especially understand stretching a dollar with a seed packet that could result in a nice bounty of carrots or tomatoes to help keep costs down at the grocery store. So, encouraging this type of spending is particularly important to this blogger.

As a mom, I understand why it is important that my child receive a nutritious and balanced diet. Nearly half the participants in SNAP are children and with the staggering statistic that 1 in 5 children don’t get enough to eat each day, I encourage folks to take time out of their day and reach out to their legislators to speak to them about keeping kids safe and healthy through the SNAP program. Urge them to provide strong health and nutrition knowledge in the program and talk to them about how farmers’ markets, CSAs, and home gardening can be encouraged within the program. Follow this link to No Kid Hungry in order to make a pledge, share your personal story, or contact members of Congress.