June 25, 2013

CCC supports City Council Resolution to Protect SNAP!

Today, CCC submitted testimony in support of City Council Resolution No. 543-A, which calls upon the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, a Farm Bill that preserves funding for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (“SNAP” or “Food Stamps”).

The Farm Bill is the largest source of funding for several of the critical federal food programs that bring much-needed assistance to New Yorkers struggling to feed their families. Included among these programs is SNAP, the country’s largest nutrition assistance program.

At Keeping Track Online, you can find the most recent data on the many New Yorkers who receive SNAP. A look at this data reveals why CCC strongly supports the Council’s resolution. For example, the data show that:

• In 2011, over 1.8 million New Yorkers received SNAP.
• One-third of New York City households received SNAP in 2011 – an almost 60 percent increase since before the recession started in 2007.
• In some communities, the share of the households receiving SNAP was as high as 81.9 percent.

The data show that many New York City children and families are struggling with food insecurity. The difficulties these families face accessing sufficient amounts of nutritious food can result in devastating consequences to their children’s health, academic achievement, and well-being.

A Farm Bill that adequately funds and protects SNAP is critical to the food security of so many New Yorkers. CCC thanks the City Council for this important Resolution, and its diligent work to increase all New Yorkers’ access to healthy, affordable foods!

Tags
Farm Bill, SNAP/Food Stamps, Economic Security

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