Farm Bill - Protecting SNAP and Nutrition Programs
The Nutrition Title (Title IV) of the Farm Bill reauthorizes a number of domestic food assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. Over 42 million Americans depend on SNAP benefits, almost 70 percent of participants are children, elderly, or those with disabilities.
In California’s 21st Congressional District, about 28.5% of households depend on SNAP, ranking #6 most dependent on SNAP of all congressional districts. SNAP is more than a lifeline for individuals and families; it's an effective tool for reducing hunger and benefiting local economies. Every dollar spent through SNAP generates economic activity, supporting farmers, grocery stores, and small businesses.
Republicans have put forth proposals to make it harder for Americans to feed their families by cutting SNAP. Now is not the time to make it one of the most important tools we have to fight hunger in America. I’m fighting to defend and protect SNAP because it is vital to our country’s safety net.
The Farm Bill reauthorizes and funds the following nutrition, and food assistance programs:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the nation's largest domestic food and nutrition assistance program for low-income Americans.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)low-income seniors with fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from approved farmers in California.
Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)brings together stakeholders from various parts of the food and healthcare systems.
Legislative Efforts
SNAP has proven to be an effective tool in reducing food insecurity - helping individuals focus on education, work, and other pathways to self-sufficiency. Kicking struggling families off SNAP doesn't do anything other than make them go hungry. We should be working to strengthen SNAP, not dismantle it. That is why, I've introduced legislation to protect this vital program and ensure families get the help they need.
Dairy Nutrition Incentives Act would expand access to dairy products for SNAP recipients while supporting dairy farmers in California and across the nation.
Enhance Access to SNAP (EATS) Act would permanently expand SNAP benefits to eligible college students experiencing food insecurity.
Hot Foods Actwould remove this prohibition allowing families to use SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods such as prepared rotisserie chickens, hot sandwiches, and soups.
Delivering for Rural Seniors Act would allow seniors living in rural areas, seniors with disabilities, and those with mobility or transportation issues to receive home delivery services from food banks participating in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
Feed Hungry Veterans Actwould eliminate undue barriers faced by veterans with disabilities in accessing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Military Family Nutrition Act would expand eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) by excluding Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from income calculations that determine eligibility for the BNA.