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The Research Packet For
THE SNAP TASK FORCE
Meeting of January, 2017
Prepared by the staff of Benefits Access,
Food Bank For New York City
39 Broadway, 10th Fl.
New York NY 10006
Tel: 212.566.7855
Fax: 212.566.1463
www.foodbanknyc.org
FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
S N A P T a s k F o r c e M e e t i n g o f J a n u a r y , 2 0 1 7 Contents of this document are the property of Food Bank For New York City and cannot be copied
in any way, shape or form without permission from its creator.
Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)…………………………………………………………
1. Final Rule: SNAP Promotion……………………………………………………………………………...
2. Calculating the SNAP Program Access Index: A Step-By-Step Guide for 2015……………….
3. Press Releases………………………………………………………………………………………..........
USDA Announces Retailer Volunteers for SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot………………...
Families Projected to Spend an Average of $233,610 Raising a Child Born in 2015.,,,,
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)…….……………………………………………
1. New York State SNAP Participation and Benefit Value in October 2016……………………....
New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA)………………………………………………..
1. Policy Bulletins and Directives…………………………………………………………………………..
Policy Bulletin #17-04-ELI: Change in the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents
(ABAWD) Waiver Status for Certain Queens Households…………………………………..
Policy Directive #16-25-ELI: January 2017 RSDI/SSI COLA Increases……………………..
Policy Bulletin #16-99-ELI: January 2017 Social Security COLA Changes for NYSNIP
Households…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Policy Bulletin #16-100-EMP: Phasing Out of the Work Experience Program…………...
Policy Directive #16-24-SYS: Child Support Matches for Cash Assistance (CA) and
Non-Cash Assistance SNAP………………………………………………………………………
Policy Bulletin #16-97-EMP: Increase in the New York State Minimum Wage and its
Effect on Cash Assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program……..
Policy Bulletin #16-93-OPE: Schedules for January 2017-June 2017……………………...
Reports and Notable Items from Other Sources……………………………………….…………………
1. Reports From Food Research and Action Center……………………………..……………………
SNAP Over-the-Year Participation Dropped By More Than 2.1 Million People in
October 2016………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. SNAP Caseload and Spending Declines Accelerated in 2016, Center for Budget and
Policy Priorities……………………………………………………………………………………………...
3. The Parent Trap: The Economic Insecurity of Families with Young Children, Demos………...
Hunger and Poverty in the Media…………………………………………………………………………...
1. Local News…………………………………………………………………………………......................
Cuomo Proposes Free Tuition at New York State Colleges For Eligible Students, NYT..
Help is Hiding in Plain Sight for New York’s Poor, Crain’s New York Business……..……..
2. National News……………………………………………………………………………………………..
In the Shopping Cart of a Food Stamp Household: Not What the New York Times
Reported, TalkPoverty.…………………………………………………………………………….
Big Battles Over Farm and Food Policies May Be Brewing as Trump Era Begins, NPR...
3. International News………………………………………………………………………………………….
World’s Eight Richest People Have Same Wealth as Poorest 50%, The
Guardian……….……………………………………………………………………………………..
As Groundwater Dwindles, A Global Food Shock Looms, National Geographic………
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FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
S N A P T a s k F o r c e M e e t i n g o f J a n u a r y , 2 0 1 7 Contents of this document are the property of Food Bank For New York City and cannot be copied
in any way, shape or form without permission from its creator.
Page 3
I. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
1. FINAL RULE: SNAP PROMOTION, DECEMBER 20, 2016 <https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fr-122016>
USDA FNS has released final rulemaking regarding
Section 4018 of the 2014 Farm Bill, which defines the
types of acceptable SNAP promotion and outreach
activities authorized under federal funds. After
publishing proposed rulemaking in March 2016, the
agency collected 94 comments from individuals and
organizations including food banks, non-profits, and
universities. This final rule discusses commenter
recommendations, many of which were added to
the rulemaking. Notable additions are summarized
below:
USDA FNS has incorporated an “informed choice” standard when defining
acceptable recruitment activities, revising an example case as follows:
In regards to incentives, FNS clarifies that outreach workers may offer
outreach reinforcement items while sharing information on SNAP, “so long as
the receipt of such reinforcements is not contingent on applying for SNAP”
The restriction on billboard ads applies only to large advertising displays on
roadways, and does not restrict large signs for informational purposes at
health fairs, farmers markets and “other venues where most attendees are on
foot”
The use of social media (e.g. YouTube, Twitter, Facebook) to promote SNAP is
not prohibited, so long as the content does not use persuasive practices to
encourage someone to apply for SNAP
The ban on compensating outreach workers based on the number of
individuals who apply for SNAP “does not apply to the setting of outreach
goals at the level of the individual or the organization, so long as those goals
are not tied to individual worker compensation”
Section 4018 of the 2014 Farm Bill limits the
use of Federal funds for SNAP promotion
and outreach activities “designed to
persuade an individual to apply for SNAP
benefits.” The rulemaking also prohibits:
TV, radio, or billboard ads “designed
to promote SNAP benefits and
enrollment” (excluding Disaster
SNAP)
Entering into agreements with foreign
governments for the purposes of
SNAP promotion.
Compensating outreach /
recruitment workers based on the
number of individuals who apply for
SNAP
“An outreach worker is talking to a senior citizen who explains that he does not think
he is eligible because he owns his own home. The worker would be allowed to correct
this misconception, including asking any necessary follow-up questions to ensure the
senior citizen makes an informed choice about whether or not to apply.”
FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
S N A P T a s k F o r c e M e e t i n g o f J a n u a r y , 2 0 1 7 Contents of this document are the property of Food Bank For New York City and cannot be copied
in any way, shape or form without permission from its creator.
Page 4
2. CALCULATING THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(SNAP) PROGRAM ACCESS INDEX: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR 2015 <https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/calculating-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-
program-snap-program-access-index-step-step-guide-2015>
This update provides a step-by-step guide to the Program Access Index (PAI) used
to “indicate the degree to which low-income people have access to SNAP
benefits” in each state. The PAI is used to award annual performance bonuses to
the four highest-performing states, as well as four states with the most improvement
in SNAP access.
USDA FNS calculates the PAI by indexing the average monthly number of SNAP
participants during a calendar year to the number of people with income below
125 percent of the federal poverty level. The PAI does not include those who
received Disaster SNAP. New York State ranked 21st among all States in
performance, and 32nd for improvement in 2015. States with the highest PAI and
improvement include:
2015 PAI Rank
1) Maryland
2) District of Columbia
3) Delaware
4) Hawaii
3. PRESS RELEASE: USDA ANNOUNCES RETAILER VOLUNTEERS FOR SNAP ONLINE
PURCHASING PILOT, JANUARY 5, 2017 <https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2017/fns-000117>
As part of a pilot program, SNAP recipients will be able to purchase groceries online
from seven retail firms beginning in Summer 2017. The firms selected to participate in
the pilot include:
Amazon - Maryland, New Jersey, New York
FreshDirect - New York
Safeway - Maryland, Oregon, Washington,
ShopRite - Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Hy-Vee, Inc. - Iowa
Hart's Local Grocers - New York (based in Rochester)
Dash's Market - New York (based in Buffalo)
USDA plans to add additional retailers in the future, and ultimately aims to make
online SNAP purchases a national option. However, online payment presents
significant technical and security challenges which will be assessed through the pilot
program. USDA states that it is “committed to maintaining to security of SNAP
benefits for both the protection of SNAP participants accounts and to prevent and
detect trafficking.”
Most Improved in 2015
1) Nevada
2) Hawaii
3) South Carolina
4) New Hampshire
FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
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in any way, shape or form without permission from its creator.
Page 5
4. PRESS RELEASE: FAMILIES PROJECTED TO SPEND AN AVERAGE OF $233,610
RAISING A CHILD BORN IN 2015, JANUARY 9, 2017 <https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2017/01/0004.xml>
A middle-income married couple family will spend an average of $233,610 to raise a
child born in 2015 through the age of 17, according to a new report released by the
USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. This equates to $12,350 and
$13,900 annually for middle-class families, costs that are mostly spent on housing and
food. For lower-income families, the costs are closer to $174,690 through a child’s
lifetime.
Regionally, child-rearing costs are highest in the urban Northeast due to higher costs
of housing, child care, and educational expenses. Compared to rural areas, child-
rearing costs in the urban Northeast are up to 24 percent higher. The agency points
families to websites like “MyMoney.gov” and “ChooseMyPlate.gov” to help families
manage their money and improve their food budget choices.
II. NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY
AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
1. NEW YORK STATE SNAP PARTICIPATION AND BENEFIT VALUE IN OCTOBER
2016
<https://otda.ny.gov/resources/caseload/2016/2016-10-stats.pdf>
According to the latest data from OTDA, SNAP participation slightly decreased by
0.41 percent in New York State from September 2016 to October 2016. Notably,
SNAP benefits declined by nearly a percentage point In New York City. The
average SNAP benefit in NYC also decreased over the month by 0.45 percent, from
$261.62 to $260.43. Overall, 1,692,789 individuals participated in SNAP citywide,
receiving $247.719.332 in benefits.
PERSONS HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITS
SEP
TEM
BER
20
16
OC
TOB
ER
20
16
PER
CEN
T
CH
AN
GE
SEP
TEM
BER
20
16
OC
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20
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AN
GE
SEP
TEM
BER
20
16
OC
TOB
ER
20
16
PER
CEN
T
CH
AN
GE
New York State 2,950,208 2,938,258 -0.41% 1,625,747 1,619,633 -0.38% $408,528,731 $405,256,659 -0.80%
New York City 1,702,125 1,692,789 -0.55% 955,989 951,180 -0.50% $250,102,539 $247,719,332 -0.95%
Rest of State 1,248,083 1,245,469 -0.21% 669,758 668,453 -0.19% $158,426,192 $157,537,327 -0.56%
FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
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in any way, shape or form without permission from its creator.
Page 6
III. NEW YORK CITY HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION
1. POLICY BULLETINS AND DIRECTIVES
POLICY BULLETIN #17-04-ELI: CHANGE IN THE ABLE-BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT
DEPENDENTS (ABAWD) WAIVER STATUS FOR CERTAIN QUEENS HOUSEHOLDS,
JANUARY 6, 2017
Effective January 1, 2017, all SNAP recipients
who reside in Queens and are Able-Bodied
Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) are
subject to the ABAWD requirements, with the
exception of ABAWDs who reside in Community
District 12. In addition, ABAWDs residing in
Manhattan on or below 110th Street, and on or
below East 96th Street remain subject to the
ABAWD requirements for calendar year 2017. ABAWDs residing in Bronx, Brooklyn,
Staten Island, and Northern Manhattan are exempt from these requirements.
To qualify for more than three months of SNAP in a 36 month period, ABAWDs
residing in a non-waived area must establish they are exempt from work activities,
or meet the ABAWD work requirements. All SNAP households containing an ABAWD
were notified via mail (see Appendix A). The letter provides instructions on how
ABAWDs can maintain their benefits, such as working at least 80 hours per month or
participating in a work program or activity approved by HRA.
Community District 12 of Queens has received a federally-approved waiver of the
ABAWD requirements for calendar year 2017. The district covers “the area that is
south of Hillside Avenue and north of the Belt Parkway, and between the Van Wyck
Expressway on the west and Francis Lewis Boulevard and Springfield Boulevard on
the east. Residents of this area are exempt from ABAWD requirements for 2017.
AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE AVERAGE BENEFITS PER HOUSEHOLD
SEP
TEM
BER
20
16
OC
TOB
ER
20
16
PER
CEN
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CH
AN
GE
SEP
TEM
BER
20
16
OC
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20
16
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CEN
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CH
AN
GE
New York State 1.815 1.814 -0.03% $251.29 $250.22 -0.42%
New York City 1.780 1.780 -0.05% $261.62 $260.43 -0.45%
Rest of State
1.863 1.863 -0.01% $236.54 $235.68 -0.37%
Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents
(ABAWDs) are individuals who meet ALL
of the following criteria:
Between the ages of 18 and 49
Mentally / physically able to work for
at least 80 hours a month
Not pregnant
Not residing in a household
containing a child under 18 years of
age
FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
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Page 7
POLICY DIRECTIVE #16-25-ELI: JANUARY 2017 RSDI/SSI COLA INCREASES,
DECEMBER 21, 2016
SNAP benefits have been rebudgeted to reflect a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)
for Social Security/SSI recipients effective January 1, 2017. The COLA of 0.3 percent
resulted in an average increase of $2 per month in SSI benefits, as well as increases
for those receiving Social Security Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance. As
a result, some SNAP recipients may see a reduction in their SNAP benefits. A Notice
of Mass Change (Appendix B) was sent to all participants whose benefits were
adjusted.
POLICY BULLETIN #16-99-ELI: JANUARY 2017 SOCIAL SECURITY COLA
CHANGES FOR NYSNIP HOUSEHOLDS, DECEMBER 21, 2016
Effective January 1, 2017, SNAP benefit levels will change for certain individuals
who receive SNAP under the New York State Improvement Project (NYSNIP). This is
due to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applied to Supplemental Security
Income (SSI). NYSNIP households whose benefits were adjusted have been notified
of these changes via a Notice of Mass Change (Appendix B).
Per the chart below, NYSNIP households with high shelter costs ($247 or more) who
do not qualify for the heating/cooling Standard Utility Allowance will have their
benefits decrease from $27 to $26 if they only receive SSI, and from $18 to $17 if
they receive SSI and other income. Benefit levels for all other households will remain
the same.
Community District 12 (Queens)
FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
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Page 8
POLICY BULLETIN #16-100-EMP: PHASING OUT OF THE WORK EXPERIENCE
PROGRAM, DECEMBER 21, 2016
As of December 22, 2016, the Work Experience Program (WEP) has been
terminated. Current WEP recipients have been notified (See Appendix C) that they
no longer need to report to their assignments. However, they are still required to
comply with other work or training assignments assigned by HRA. The agency has
provided a list of options that program participants may use to meet their work
requirements in replacement of WEP. Examples include:
Job Training Programs
Community Service
Internships (for those enrolled in non-CUNY degree programs)
Work Study (for those enrolled in CUNY)
If these alternatives are not available to the participant, the participant must be
referred to the Back to Work (B2W) program full time.
POLICY DIRECTIVE #16-24-SYS: CHILD SUPPORT MATCHES FOR CASH
ASSISTANCE (CA) AND NON-CASH ASSISTANCE (NCA) SUPPLEMENTAL
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP), DECEMBER 12, 2016
All households applying for SNAP are subject to a data match for child support
payments made and received. This directive introduces a new match for
applicants and recipients, which is performed “regardless of whether the child for
whom the payments are made is a member of the household.” This match is
performed between FIA and the Office of Child Support Enforcement to ensure
that legally-obligated child support payments made are properly excluded from
the budget.
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Page 9
Since the match cannot return information to process expedited SNAP benefits, a
budget for expedited SNAP will reflect the amount of child support made/received
that is written on the application or stated during the interview. The final budget for
ongoing benefits will also exclude payments “when there was a discernible
difference in the amount of child support
payments made/received by the household”
during the past six months, as reported by the
match.
POLICY BULLETIN #16-97-EMP: INCREASE IN THE NEW YORK STATE MINIMUM
WAGE AND ITS EFFECT ON CASH ASSISTANCE AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, DECEMBER 21, 2016
Effective December 31, 2016, the minimum wage has increased in New York City,
and will continue to increase every year on December 31st until reaching $15.00.
The amount of this increase varies depending on the size of one’s employer as
follows:
As a result of this increase, SNAP recipients subject to work requirements may be
required to work fewer hours. This includes Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents
(ABAWDs). According to HRA, ABAWDs can meet the requirement by
“participating in certain work activities for the number of hours equal to their
monthly SNAP grant divided by the higher of the federal or NYS minimum wage.”
POLICY BULLETIN #16-93-OPE: SCHEDULES FOR JANUARY 2017 – JUNE 2017,
DECEMBER 5, 2016
HRA has released updated semi-annual schedules, including a new version of the
EBT Pick-up Schedule for January through June 2017. This guide provides SNAP
participants with the date when their benefits will be available on their EBT card,
based on the toe digit (last number) of their case number. See Appendix D for the
updated pickup schedule.
A “discernible difference” is defined as “a
spike of $100 or more above the total
amount legally obligated for a month”
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Page 10
IV. Reports and Notable Items from Other Sources
1. REPORTS FROM FOOD RESEARCH AND ACTION CENTER (FRAC):
SNAP OVER-THE-YEAR PARTICIPATION DROPPED BY MORE THAN 2.1 MILLION
PEOPLE IN OCTOBER 2016 <http://frac.org/research/resource-library/snap-monthly-data-october-2016>
According to the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), SNAP participation
decreased by 277,592 persons nationally from September to October 2016, the
last month in which data is available. FRAC attributes the over-the-month
increase to improved economic conditions, coupled with time limits on SNAP
participation for jobless adults. Over the same time period, New York State’s SNAP
participation decreased slightly by less than half of a percentage point.
Meanwhile, over-the-year SNAP participation decreased by 2,152,708 people
nationally, and by 58,391 in New York State.
Oc
tob
er
2015
Se
pte
mb
er
2016
Oc
tob
er
2016 % Change
October 2015
to
October 2016
% Change
September 2016
to
October 2016
New York 2,996,649 2,950,208 2,938,258 -1.9% -0.4%
Nationwide 45,368,265 43,493,149 43,215,557 -4.7% -0.68%
Data source: http://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/snapdata2016-oct.pdf
2. SNAP CASELOAD AND SPENDING DECLINES ACCELERATED IN 2016 –
CENTER FOR BUDGET AND POLICY PRIORITIES, DECEMBER 29, 2016
<http://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/snap-caseload-and-spending-
declines-accelerated-in-2016>
This report provides an updated look at SNAP caseloads and spending in 2016.
SNAP participation declined at an accelerating rate in 2016, a trend that the
Center for Budget and Policy Priorities attributes to an improving economy and the
return of time limits for able-bodied adults. The report points to these time limits as a
notable driver of caseload declines. About 773,000 fewer individuals participated in
SNAP in the month that time limits were re-implemented in many states. According
to the report, this is “the largest one-month drop since temporary disaster benefits
for Hurricane Katrina victims ended in 2015.” The drop was most significant in eight
of ten states that re-implemented the time limit in April 2016.
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Page 11
Overall, SNAP participation nationwide has dropped to participation levels in 2011,
and is expected to continue falling. While caseloads have dropped significantly in
most states, 19 states have seen participation fall more slowly (such as New York)
and some experienced a growth in participation. The drop in participation also
coincides with decreased SNAP spending, 4 percent lower than in 2015.
3. THE PARENT TRAP: THE ECONOMIC INSECURITY OF FAMILIES WITH YOUNG
CHILDREN – DEMOS, DECEMBER 13, 2016
<http://www.demos.org/publication/parent-trap-economic-insecurity-families-
young-children>
Families with children under age 5 are at an economic disadvantage, facing
higher rates of poverty compared to those without children. However, once those
children enter school, incomes tend to rise while poverty levels fall. This report
assesses the impact of young children on household poverty, looking at multiple
economic and demographic factors of households with children. The authors were
particularly interested in the circumstances facing single parents, including single
mothers and parents of color.
Researchers found that families with children under 5 had substantially lower
incomes than households without children. As a result, many of these families were
thrust in poverty. The average household of two adults saw a drop of income of
about $14,850 (14 percent of household income) once accounting for a new child.
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Page 12
This drop was significantly higher for single mothers, who tend to have significantly
less income. The average single mother lost 36 percent of her income ($16,610) as
the result of having a young child. Furthermore, many single mothers face unstable
employment, particularly mothers of color and those with less education. However,
the report confirms that once children reach school age, labor force participation
and incomes rise for virtually all parents.
To address these challenges, the authors recommend employers and policy makers
better support families with young children. Strategies to promote the financial well-
being of these families include “addressing the lack of paid leave, low-paying jobs,
irregular work schedules, employment discrimination, and shortage of equality,
affordable childcare.”
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Page 13
V. Hunger and Poverty in the Media
1. LOCAL NEWS
“CUOMO PROPOSES FREE TUITION AT NEW YORK STATE COLLEGES FOR
ELIGIBLE STUDENTS,” JANUARY 3, 2017
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/03/nyregion/free-tuition-new-york-colleges-
plan.html
Governor Cuomo has announced a proposal to waive tuition fees at all New
York State public universities for middle- and low-income families statewide. If
passed, the program would be the first of its kind nationwide to offer tuition-free
college to families and individuals making less than $125,000 a year. The director
of state operations estimates that 200,000 students would benefit from the
program, which would rollout over three years starting this fall. Cuomo made the
announcement alongside Senator Bernie Sanders, who has forcefully
campaigned for making college tuition- and debt-free for all Americans.
“HELP IS HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT FOR NEW YORK'S POOR,” CRAIN’S NEW
YORK BUSINESS, DECEMBER 19, 2016
< http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20161219/OPINION/161219909/want-to-
help-new-yorks-poor-without-signing-legislation-expand-enrollment-in-programs-
like-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-or-snap-the-earned-income-tax-
credit-wic-and-more>
Reynold Levy, president of Robin Hood, argues that “critical help is hiding in plain
sight” for 1.8 million New York City residents facing poverty on a daily basis. The
challenge lies in connecting these residents to the vital programs that can lift
them out of poverty, such as SNAP and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Levy
suggests that more than $1 billion in federal funds could be made available if all
eligible people enrolled in these programs. However, there are many barriers to
enrollment, such as the stigma of accepting help, fear in immigrant communities,
or challenges in proving one’s eligibility. However, coalitions of non-profits,
institutions, corporations, labor unions, and others across the city supported by
Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio are working to reach out to the poor and
help them overcome these barriers.
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Page 14
2. NATIONAL
“IN THE SHOPPING CART OF A FOOD STAMP HOUSEHOLD: NOT WHAT
THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTED,” TALKPOVERTY, JANUARY 16, 2017 <https://talkpoverty.org/2017/01/16/shopping-cart-food-stamp-household-not-
new-york-times-reported/>
The New York Times recently published an article1 highlighting soda and
sweetened beverages as a popular purchase among SNAP households. The
article drew from a November 2016 study conducted by USDA, which analyzed
the consumption patterns of both SNAP and non-SNAP households at a major
grocery retailer. This TalkPoverty article criticizes the conclusions of the article,
claiming that its findings were both inaccurate and dangerous in its portrayal of
SNAP recipients.
The USDA study notes that “both food stamp recipients and other households
generally made similar purchases”. For this reason, the NYT’s characterization
that SNAP households spend more on soda than non-SNAP households is
misleading. The authors argue that while high sugar consumption needs to be
addressed, generating a narrative that SNAP households are to blame “plays
directly into harmful stereotypes, and risks undermining a critical program that
protects nearly 5 million Americans from poverty each year.”
“BIG BATTLES OVER FARM AND FOOD POLICIES MAY BE BREWING AS
TRUMP ERA BEGINS,” NPR, DECEMBER 28, 2016 <http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/12/28/506592753/big-battles-over-
farm-and-food-policies-may-be-brewing-as-trump-era-begins>
Though the Trump administration has said little about plans for food policy, a
series of policy battles over nutrition programs and farm policies will brew over
the next few years. Notably, a coalition between farmers and poverty
advocates will be tested with the latest iteration of the Farm Bill, due by the end
of 2018. The Farm Bill includes federally-funded nutrition programs like SNAP and
farm-related provisions, which some Republicans are hoping to separate into
different bills. Furthermore, there could be attempts to roll back school lunch
reforms, as well as nutrition policies mandated by the Affordable Care Act.
1 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/13/well/eat/food-stamp-snap-soda.html
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Page 15
3. INTERNATIONAL
“WORLD'S EIGHT RICHEST PEOPLE HAVE SAME WEALTH AS POOREST
50%”, THE GUARDIAN, JANUARY 16, 2017 <https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jan/16/worlds-eight-
richest-people-have-same-wealth-as-poorest-50>
Global inequality continues to grow, with the world’s poorest 50 percent owning
the same assets as eight of the world’s richest billionaires, according to a new
report from Oxfam. The development charity revised last year’s number of 62
billionaires to eight after discovering that poor people in China and India had
fewer assets than once thought, pointing to an even larger wealth gap. Oxfam
argues that the vast majority of the world’s poor struggle to survive, while global
companies continue to dodge taxes, squeeze workers’ wages, and maximize
returns for owners and executives. The authors call from fundamental changes in
world economies to ensure that they work for all, rather than the wealthiest.
“AS GROUNDWATER DWINDLES, A GLOBAL FOOD SHOCK LOOMS,”
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, DECEMBER 22, 2016
<http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/12/groundwater-depletion-global-
food-supply/>
Groundwater reservoirs are shrinking at an alarming rate, putting the world’s
food supply at risk. Half of the world’s food comes from arid parts of the world
which receive little rain and have few rivers and lakes. These areas, which
include the western United States, depend on irrigation from groundwater.
However, a new study conducted at the Colorado School of Mines finds that
groundwater reserves may be nearly drained within decades due to over
pumping. The study finds that excessive pumping “has already used up enough
groundwater worldwide to nearly fill Lake Michigan.” Without conservation, 1.8
million people could also lose access to a crucial source of fresh water and face
increases in the cost and availability of foods.
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Page 16
APPENDIX A
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FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
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Page 18
FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
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Page 19
FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
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Page 20
APPENDIX B
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Page 21
APPENDIX C
FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
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Page 22
APPENDIX D
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