EVEN CONSERVATIVES FIND SNAP WORKS

The conservative think tank, the American Enterprise Institute, observes that a large body of research shows that SNAP reduces poverty, improves food security among low-income households, and has positive effects on infant health and long-term benefits for children. It also finds SNAP to be fairly efficient. In FY 2014, the error rate (that is, the percentage of dollars that go to ineligible house- holds or get over- or underpaid) was extremely low at 3.66%, and 99% of households that received benefits were eligible. In addition, 92% of spending is for benefits that go directly into households, with only 8% supporting administrative and other efforts.

Source: American Enterprise Institute, 1/25/17, SNAP Reforms

GardenShare Growing Community Award

Congratulations to the Local Living Venture, the recipient of GardenShare's 2016 Growing Community Award.  Each year GardenShare recognizes an individual or organization whose efforts strengthen food security in northern New York State with the Growing Community Award.  Past recipients have included farmers, food service staff, a food bank, community groups, and others.  Individuals, families, or organizations who are making progress in solving the problem of hunger through policy and advocacy work or by building a stronger food system to better serve all North Country residents may be nominated for this recognition. 

Local Living Venture is a non-profit responsible for spreading knowledge throughout the community regarding affordable and sustainable solutions that local people can implement in their daily lives. They are especially concerned with local food, clean energy, northern forest, green building, simple living and homesteading skills. Through hands-on, learning workshops LLV implements healthy and low-cost living styles for community members as well as strengthening local community ties.  

Jan /Dewaters, left, presents to award to the Local Living Venture team.

In nominating Local Living Venture for this award, GardenShare Board member Jan DeWaters wrote, "Since they first formed out of the North Country Sustainable Energy Fair in 2009, this group has emerged as a leading authority in all-things-back-to-basics. By offering a wide array of educational programming, as well as a number of community gathering events, they are filling a need here for teaching people important, often-forgotten skills our ancestors practiced on a daily basis, and are also bringing people together to join in community as they venture forth with putting their newly-learned skills into practice. To me, this group is a unique and valuable piece of our north country community building effort." 

At the same event, GardenShare honored the St. Lawrence University Environmental Studies Department, who hosted GardenShare's offices from 2009 until 2016.  Without their support, with facilities, services, and many talented interns over the years, GardenShare would not begin to have accomplished all we have in our history.

Gloria McAdam, far right, along with Aviva Gold and Carlene Doane, left,
present a recognition to Carrie Johns, Environmental Studies Department Chair.
Professors David Murphy and Glenn Harris are in the back row.

Than you to everyone who attended and was part of the this event in any way.  More photos can be found here.

ER ADVICE BOOSTS HEALTHIER EATING FOR SNAP PARTICIPANTS

Low-income families were more likely to use their SNAP benefits on nutritious food after learning that their dollars can be doubled for more fruits and vegetables, according to another article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.  A University of Michigan-led team conducted five-minute conversations in the waiting room of a health clinic. They explained a program called Double Up Food Bucks that matches food assistance dollars spent on fruits and vegetables. This brief interaction prompted increased fruit and vegetable consumption and led to an almost four-fold increase in program use among families. Double Up, run by national nonprofit Fair Food Network, is now available at more than 200 farmers markets, grocery stores, and other retail outlets across Michigan. Up to $20 in SNAP funds spent per market visit are matched with free Double Up Food Bucks that can be used to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased among study participants by almost two-thirds of a serving per day - with the greatest increases among those who used Double Up the most.

Source: News-Medical.net, 1/19/17, ER Advice Works

SNAP and sugary drinks - more to the story

The New York Times recently reported on a new USDA study of SNAP participants’ food buying patterns. The findings show that the No. 1 purchases by SNAP households are soft drinks, which accounted for 5% of the dollars they spent on food.  While the report suggests that a disproportionate amount of SNAP money is going toward unhealthful foods, the USDA said it was unfair to single out food stamp recipients for their soft drink consumption. SNAP households spent 9.3% of their grocery budgets on sweetened beverages. That was slightly higher than the 7.1% figure for households that do not receive food stamps. While food stamp users bought slightly more junk food and fewer vegetables, both SNAP and non-SNAP households bought a lot of sweetened drinks, candy, ice cream, and potato chips. Across all households, the report found, “more money was spent on soft drinks than any other item.” Overall, the report found, SNAP households spent about 40 cents of every dollar on “basic items” like meat, fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and bread. They spent another 40 cents on “cereal, prepared foods, dairy products, rice, and beans.” The remaining 20 cents of each dollar was spent on a broad array of junk foods that included “sweetened beverages, desserts, salty snacks, candy, and sugar.”

Some conservative thinkers believe SNAP funds, like other federal food assistance programs, should be used only for purchasing healthy foods, citing the nutrition standards in the School Meals programs. Liberals emphasize the similarities in purchasing patterns between SNAP and non-SNAP households, note that many sugary drinks are fruit juices, and wonder why conservatives find the “nanny state” approach acceptable for low-income households.

Sources: NYT, 1/13/17, SNAP $ for Soda? ; American Enterprise Institute, 1/18/17, Limit SNAP Use ; Talk Poverty, 1/16/17, Let SNAP Buyers Buy

SNAP DIET NEEDS UPDATE

USDA needs to align SNAP with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which calls for 75% of meals to focus on plant-based foods, nutrition and diet experts argue in a new report. A paper in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine recounts SNAP’s history, reviews its current state, and puts forth ideas to improve the program. “Since [SNAP] was first conceived, the food supply has grown much more complicated -- there are now many new ways to eat badly. There are many barriers to healthy food choices other than cost. And when food costs less, there is the risk that an excess will be eaten….” the report’s authors contend. They want USDA to fund and support state pilot programs that will help identify and provide solutions for larger-scale federal alignment. In addition to improving the health of program participants, the recommendations could also lead to substantial financial savings, they assert. The average monthly SNAP benefit was $126.83 per person in 2015. By aligning SNAP benefits with one of three suggested diets in the new Dietary Guidelines, the average cost of meals would dip to $121.02, for a $73 savings compared with the most comprehensive SNAP benefit of $194, according to the report authors.

Source: MedPage Today, 1/18/17, SNAP Diet Change Needed

NEW RULES FOR SNAP RETAILERS

SNAP users may soon begin to see more variety of SNAP-eligible foods in their local groceries and bodegas. Starting May 17, 2017, stores that want to begin participating in SNAP will be expected to stock at least 84 items (1) vegetables or fruits; (2) dairy products; (3) meat, poultry, or fish; and (4) bread or cereals. Stores that are already participating will have to meet these minimums by January 17, 2018. Retailers will have to stock at least 3 units (bags, cans, boxes) of 7 different kinds of products of those 4 staple food categories. Different brands, formats, flavors, or types of the same product are not considered different varieties.  Apples, carrots, and pears are considered three different varieties in the vegetables or fruits staple food category, but tomato sauce, tomatoes, and 100% tomato juice are only considered one variety in the vegetables or fruits staple food category (tomato).

Source: USDA, 12/24/16, SNAP Retailer Rules

TANF SPENDING--A CAUTIONARY TALE OF BLOCK GRANTS

Two key purposes of welfare reform are providing a temporary safety net for families and preparing recipients for work.  Yet nationally, states use just 51% of their combined TANF block grant and state funds for basic assistance, work-related activities, work supports/supportive services, and child care, the latest data (2015) show. States now spend only 25% of their TANF funds on basic assistance to help very poor families care for their children and meet very basic needs, such as shelter.  When TANF began 20 years ago, basic assistance was the single biggest use of TANF funds in all states. And, not only has state spending on basic assistance dropped, but the TANF block grant has lost a third of its value since its creation due to inflation.  After adjusting for inflation, state spending on basic assistance has fallen by 62% since 1997. States spend little to help families work, using only 10% of their TANF funds for work activities and supports, and they use only 17% of their TANF funds to help low-income working families afford child care.  

Source: Center for Budget & Policy Priorities, 1/10/17, TANF Spending