Politicians, doctors, health care professionals, food bank representatives and community organizers recently gathered to find ways for making food assistance more accessible and healthier.
For more than three hours, representatives discussed SNAP to Health, including the future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, its success in curbing hunger and areas where it has fallen short of addressing other kinds of malnutrition.
It is estimated that 46 million Americans face food insecurity today, with over 200 million adults and children living in overweight or obese states.
According to research, some SNAP funds are being spent on sodas and other processed foods, which has led to several reform appeals of the SNAP program. “We can’t let SNAP continue to be a conveyor belt for calories,” stated Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon.
Emily Costa and Maria Infante of the Massachusetts-based Project Bread shared how their food bank and FoodSource Hotline help SNAP clients buy fresh, local produce.
Ultimately, SNAP to Health participants urged community stakeholders, including food banks, to demand greater nutrition accountability and offer broader SNAP education and outreach proposals.
As the Capital Area Food Bank expands its outreach services, including its SNAP program, it is taking a critical stance on increasing access to and distributing nutritious food.