Food security in the United States

FIS Enables States to Provide Online Grocery Shopping for SNAP Benefit Recipients

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Banking, Mobile, Wireless, Networks, Online Retail, Internet, Professional services, Data management, Technology, Security, Retail, Finance, Other Technology, Federal assistance in the United States, Economy of the United States, Retailers, Economy, Electronic benefit transfer, Food security in the United States, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart, Snap, Amazon, Online shopping

Financial services technology leader FIS (NYSE: FIS) announced today that it is assisting a number of U.S. states to enable online purchasing of food for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit recipients under a pilot program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Key Points: 
  • Financial services technology leader FIS (NYSE: FIS) announced today that it is assisting a number of U.S. states to enable online purchasing of food for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit recipients under a pilot program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  • As a leading provider of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) processing services for state-administered SNAP benefits, FIS has enabled Washington, Oregon and Nebraska to go live on the USDA online pilot program.
  • The states of Florida, California, Idaho and Arizona, which contract with FIS for EBT processing services, have been approved under the USDA pilot program and are expected to be operational with online shopping capabilities in the coming weeks.
  • Through the USDAs pilot program, SNAP recipients in participating states can use their EBT cards to make online purchases of groceries through authorized retailers, including Walmart and Amazon.

Millions With Disabilities Cannot Get Food

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Federal assistance in the United States, Food security in the United States, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food stamp, Snap, RespectAbility, Stamp, American society, United States

WASHINGTON, April 10th, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Millions of people with disabilities are unable to get food and medicine during the national pandemic emergency, according to the nonprofit advocacy group RespectAbility .

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, April 10th, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Millions of people with disabilities are unable to get food and medicine during the national pandemic emergency, according to the nonprofit advocacy group RespectAbility .
  • The disability nonprofit organization recommends changes to the Food Stamp program, as well as urges governments, online retailers, faith and service organizations to help fill the void.
  • In many states, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as Food Stamps, prohibits SNAP benefits from being used for online food and grocery delivery services.
  • BOOKERS' AND PRODUCERS' NOTE:JenniferMizrahi, who has disabilities herself, is available for interviews at [email protected] and202-365-0787.

Farm to Family Program Provides More than 4,000 in Need with Food, Helps Local Farmers Stay in Business

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 30, 2020
Farmers' Market, Food, Sustainable food system, Rural community development, Food politics, Federal assistance in the United States, Food security in the United States, Food and drink

I'm grateful to have been able to connect our farms to our families in Palm Beach County during this difficult this time."

Key Points: 
  • I'm grateful to have been able to connect our farms to our families in Palm Beach County during this difficult this time."
  • Farm to Family ensures that local farmers will stay afloat after the sudden closures of farmers' markets and restaurants.
  • The producegiven to local families today likely would have gone to waste if it wasn't for the new food assistance program.
  • Fresh RX Kids is a local experiential education program for children on the importance of nutrition and healthy eating habits.

NAFMNP's MarketLink Program Accepting Applications for Free SNAP/EBT Processing Solutions

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Federal assistance in the United States, Food security in the United States, Electronic benefit transfer, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, Economy of the United States, Federal government of the United States, Economy, Farmers' Market, United States Department of Agriculture

The National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (NAFMNP) announced today that applications are now open to markets and direct-marketing farmers for receiving free electronic benefit transfer (EBT) processing solutions from its MarketLink program, through the USDA's Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Cooperative Agreement.

Key Points: 
  • The National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (NAFMNP) announced today that applications are now open to markets and direct-marketing farmers for receiving free electronic benefit transfer (EBT) processing solutions from its MarketLink program, through the USDA's Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Cooperative Agreement.
  • NAFMNP's MarketLink programassists farmers and markets accept the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) andelectronic payments.
  • This is a point-of-sale (POS) system that accepts EBT along with all other forms of paymentsincluding credit and debitin one simple solution.
  • Mobile Market+ extends all the features and benefits of a smart POS system while accepting SNAP and other EBT and simplifies reporting.

MAZON Outraged By U.S. Supreme Court Decision To Allow Implementation Of Public Charge Rule

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
United States, Nationality, American society, Food security in the United States, Immigration to the United States, Mazon, Liable to become a Public Charge, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Presidency of Donald Trump, Green card, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Donald Trump

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger expressed outrage at the U.S. Supreme Court's sharply divided decision to lift a nationwide injunction blocking implementation of the "Public Charge Rule" while its legal fate remains under consideration by lower federal courts.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger expressed outrage at the U.S. Supreme Court's sharply divided decision to lift a nationwide injunction blocking implementation of the "Public Charge Rule" while its legal fate remains under consideration by lower federal courts.
  • At best, this creates confusion and fear; at worst, itwill result in America turning its back on immigrants who heretofore would have been welcome in our country."
  • The Trump Administration's public charge rule seeks to deny lawful permanent residency status to immigrants who have utilized public benefits, including food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
  • MAZON joined with other concerned organizations in filing an amicus brief in opposition to the public charge rule on September 11, 2019in the Northern District of California.

MSG Explores the Causes of State Variation in SNAP Costs with New Report Released by FNS

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Food security in the United States, Federal assistance in the United States, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, State Administrative Expenses, Snap, Welfare, United States

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new report, Exploring the Causes of State Variation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Administrative Costs, was recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

Key Points: 
  • BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new report, Exploring the Causes of State Variation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Administrative Costs, was recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
  • The Federal government fully funds SNAP benefits, but FNS and State agencies share administrative expenses, with each paying about 50 percent.
  • State administrative expenses (SAE) per case total annual SAE costs divided by the average monthly number of households receiving SNAP benefits varies widely by State.
  • Using State reported data from FY 1999 to FY 2016 for the 50 States and the District of Columbia (DC), this study explores several factors, including State economic conditions, SNAP caseload characteristics, and State SNAP policies, to try to explain the variation by State.

Once Upon a Farm and Wholesome Wave Join Forces to Make Fresh Produce More Accessible to Rural Families

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Federal assistance in the United States, Food security in the United States, Wholesome Wave, Michel Nischan, Articles, Health, Nutrition Education, Food and drink, Gus Schumacher

This program makes good on Once Upon a Farm and Wholesome Wave's ongoing commitment to give families the opportunity to make better food choices.

Key Points: 
  • This program makes good on Once Upon a Farm and Wholesome Wave's ongoing commitment to give families the opportunity to make better food choices.
  • Lack of access to healthy food is a big part of the challenge," commented Michel Nischan, Co-Founder, Wholesome Wave.
  • In partnership with Once Upon a Farm, we are combining affordable access to produce with nutrition education that encourages simple changes.
  • About Wholesome Wave: Wholesome Wave is the leading national nonprofit that works to make fruits and vegetables affordable for all.

MAZON Reacts to GAO Report on Food Insecurity Among College Students

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Food security in the United States, Food and drink, Famines, Food security, Urban agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Health, School meal programs in the United States, Hunger in the United States

GAO also found that among potentially SNAP eligible low-income students with at least one additional risk factor for food insecurity, an astounding 57 percent did not report participating in SNAP in 2016.

Key Points: 
  • GAO also found that among potentially SNAP eligible low-income students with at least one additional risk factor for food insecurity, an astounding 57 percent did not report participating in SNAP in 2016.
  • The GAO report is the first time a federal agency has confirmed the problem of hunger and food insecurity among college students.
  • Senator Murray said, "This report confirms that food insecurity is a widespread issue on our nation's campuses and that there's a lot of work to do to ensure students are getting enough to eat."
  • If the majority (57 percent) of college students at risk of food insecurity are not accessing SNAP, then it is clear that the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has a responsibility to be more transparent and proactive in outreach efforts to ensure that college students have access to critical nutrition assistance.

John Legend and Misty Copeland join Naked to help increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Federal assistance in the United States, Food security in the United States, Wholesome Wave, Fruit

Naked partners with national nonprofit Wholesome Wave and like-minded ambassadors, John Legend and Misty Copeland, to raise awareness of the issue at hand and help increase access to affordable, quality, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Key Points: 
  • Naked partners with national nonprofit Wholesome Wave and like-minded ambassadors, John Legend and Misty Copeland, to raise awareness of the issue at hand and help increase access to affordable, quality, fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • "Too many Americans don't have access to fresh fruits and vegetables," said John Legend.
  • "Like Wholesome Wave, Naked knows the power of fresh fruits and vegetables, and we're proud to help increase access to affordable, quality fresh produce where it is limited."
  • To join Naked, Wholesome Wave, John Legend and Misty Copeland as they help increase access to affordable, quality, fresh fruits and vegetables, post The Shopping Cart dance from Sept. 24 Nov. 4 and, for each post, Naked will donate $100 to communities in need through Wholesome Wave.

Feeding America Statement on Public Charge Rule

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 24, 2018
Food and drink, Hunger, Health, Food security in the United States, Brain, Limbic system, Motivation, Social justice, Food security, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food bank, Feeding America

"The proposed rule departs significantly from longstanding precedent by broadening the definition of public charge to include whether an individual received certain public services, such as food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Key Points: 
  • "The proposed rule departs significantly from longstanding precedent by broadening the definition of public charge to include whether an individual received certain public services, such as food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
  • "On behalf of our network of 200 food banks and 60,000 meal programs nationwide, Feeding America opposes this misguided policy and urges the Administration to rescind this rule."
  • Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States.
  • Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry.