The U.S. Senate passed the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, also known as the "farm bill" on June 20, 2012. The bill contains both improvements and setbacks in nutrition programs for hungry Oregonians:

• Maintained funding for the Senior Farm Direct Nutrition program (vouchers for seniors to purchase produce at farmers' markets/farm stands), and the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables program for kids attending schools in high need areas.
• Authorized $125 million for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative to administer loans and grants to increase healthy food options in "food deserts."
• Increased funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) by $150 million over ten years. TEFAP provides vital support to emergency food providers.
• Maintained the current structure of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP (no block-granting or funding caps). 
• Set-back: $4.5 billion cut in SNAP benefits. The Senate farm bill cut SNAP by $4.5 billion by changing the "Heat and Eat" provision.

Heat and Eat: Oregon is one of 14 states and the District of Columbia to use the Heat and Eat provision to improve SNAP benefits for Oregonians. This change will decrease SNAP benefits for over 65,000 Oregonians, many of whom are children and seniors.

 

What's next?

The House Agriculture Committee is expected to release their version of the farm bill shortly after the July 4th recess. We anticipate this bill will include even deeper cuts to nutrition programs. 

 

ACTION NEEDED!

• Please take a moment to thank Senator Merkley (202-224-3753) and Senator Wyden (202-224-5244) who fought hard to protect nutrition programs for Oregonians.
• Contact your House representative, particularly Congressman Walden (202-225-6730) and Schrader (202-225-5711) with the message below. Not sure who your representative is? Click here. 

MESSAGE:  SNAP is an essential tool in our state's fight against hunger. It helps more than 800,000 Oregonians put food on their tables every day. Food is a basic human need and families should not have to choose between paying the rent and feeding their children. We have the ability to prevent hunger by protecting our investment in critical nutrition programs.

  

HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION

The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act on June 28, 2012. This legislation takes a big step toward ensuring all Oregonians can access affordable health care when they need it.

 

Lack of health care is one of the root causes of hunger. According to research conducted by Children's Healthwatch, the high price of medical care and prescriptions compromise both the health of children and their parents. Households that are struggling to pay for health care are more likely to be food insecure, be in poorer health, have a history of hospitalizations, and experience developmental delays.

 

This legislation will improve access for more than 600,000 families and individuals who currently lack coverage, helping us create an environment where all Oregonians can thrive.