South Windsor HAT Presents: “Hunger in South Windsor”

Recently, the South Windsor Hunger Action Team (HAT) recorded a presentation at Town Hall on Hunger in South Windsor. Town Council member, Dr. M. Saud Anwar, began the presentation by discussing the scope of the problem of hunger in South Windsor. Beatrice Maslowski, a Community Network Builder at Foodshare, educated listeners on Foodshare’s role in South Windsor due to partnerships with The Bridge, Mobile Foodshare, and the South Windsor HAT. She noted that currently 13.5% of South Windsor’s students are eligible for free/reduced-cost meals, and that number has increased 48% over the last ten years. 

Dr. M. Saud Anwar, Beatrice Maslowski, Pastor Randall Pekari, Dr. Andy Paterna, & Andrea Cofracesco

Pastor Randall Pekari spoke passionately about witnessing food insecurity and why Our Savior Lutheran Church wanted to open The Bridge, South Windsor’s newest pantry. The Bridge provides food and gently used clothing to anyone in need. Dr. Andy Paterna followed with information on the South Windsor Food Alliance and their work with the South Windsor Farmers Market, school gardens at four schools, healthy community workshop series, and supporting the town community gardens. 

Andrea Cofrancesco of South Windsor Human Services, provided insight into the services available to South Windsor residents including: a client choice food pantry, Meals on Wheels, Congregate Lunch at the Senior Center, fuel assistance, case management, transportation assistance, WIC and SNAP referrals, along with youth and senior services.  The presentation ended with a discussion on accessing services and the need for donations and volunteers.


For information on Hunger Action Teams, please contact Beatrice Maslowski.

Food Insecurity and Women's Health

"Data consistently show that women are especially vulnerable to food insecurity and its health consequences. Literature reviews reveal strong and consistent evidence of a higher risk of obesity among food-insecure women, but not for food-insecure men or children.

 Another serious risk facing many women is maternal depression, which can increase the incidence — or be a consequence — of food insecurity. Food insecurity during pregnancy has been linked with gestational diabetes, iron deficiency, and low birth weight.  But, according to recent studies, mothers of young children in food-insecure households who received SNAP were less likely to experience symptoms of maternal depression and less likely to be in poor health, compared to mothers in food-insecure households not receiving SNAP"

Source: Food Research & Action Council, 5/19/17, Food Insecurity & Women's Health

Military Service Members Struggle To Feed Their Families

In July 2016, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that the Department of Defense (DOD) was not fully collecting or analyzing data on how many service members were in need of food assistance or enrolled in federal programs such as SNAP and WIC. The GAO ALSO found troubling signs that some military families were in need. For example, nearly 1 in 4 children at DOD schools are eligible for free meals, and about 23,000 active-duty service members rely on SNAP benefits. That number tends to draw from a particular slice of the military: lower-ranking enlisted members with children.

An enlisted service member, for example, starts out earning $1,449 per month. In a family with three children, that salary could make them eligible to receive SNAP benefits. The Pentagon said it agreed with the GAO recommendations – but nearly a year later, it hasn't changed how it tracks the issue. A Pentagon spokesman declined to comment on whether specific offices cited in the GAO report have made specific changes or had changes underway in response to the report. But he added, "They have read it and they are certainly taking those recommendations into consideration."

Source: NPR, 4/19/17, Feeding Military Families

Gender Equity Is a Root Cause of Hunger

"Women in the U.S. disproportionately experience hunger and poverty compared to American men.

About 10 million households with children in the U.S. are headed by a single mother, and 28.2 percent of these families live below the poverty line, compared to 14.9 percent of single fathers. According to USDA’s most recent report, single-parent, female-headed households are also significantly more likely to be food-insecure than single-parent, male-headed households (30.3 to 22.4 percent)."

FRAC has proposed three solutions that policymakers and advocates should utilize in their approach to reducing food insecurity among women in the United States: strengthening federal nutrition programs, closing the wage gap, and supporting paid leave policies.

Source: FRAC, 3/30/17, Learn more>

Low-Income Babies Are Slimming Down

The percentage of overweight babies in poor families in the US may be declining, a new study suggests. Researchers found that fewer babies enrolled in the WIC program had a high "weight-for-length" in 2014, when compared with 2010. The percentage went from 14.5% to just over 12% in that period. High weight, even in infancy, has been linked to an increased risk of obesity later on, the study’s author said.

Changes to the WIC program are one likely reason the picture improved. During the study period, the program's food allocation package was revamped to fall in line with federal dietary guidelines, as well as infant feeding recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. These changes resulted in increased consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Source: Healthy Day, 12/13/16, Slimming Babies

Safety net outcomes in Connecticut

Federal and state safety net programs lift around 420,000 Connecticut residents out of poverty and reduce the state’s poverty rate from 22.7% (before counting government benefits and taxes) to 10.9%. Many of those who benefit are children: the safety net lifts about 84,000 children above the poverty line, reducing their poverty rate from 20.7% to 10.3%. Social Security is the strongest link in the net lifting nearly 280,000, mostly elderly, people above poverty and reducing the elderly poverty rate from nearly 50% to just under 13%. SNAP helps an estimated 70,000 rise above poverty by assisting about 440,000 people a month, including 160,000 children.

Source: Center for Budget & Policy Priorities, 8/2/16, Safety Net in Connecticut

WIC TURNS 40

The first WIC clinic opened in Pineville, Ky., in 1974. The program now provides services through almost 1,900 local agencies in all 50 states, 34 Tribal Organizations, the District of Columbia, and all American territories. The program’s nearly 10,000 clinics are key to its success.  They provide supplemental nutritious food, health care referrals, and nutrition education, as well as help to promote and support breastfeeding. Thanks to WIC’s health care referrals, participants use more of all types of health care services – including dental care and immunizations. Over the last four decades, WIC has consistently shown to lead to better pregnancy results, such as increased birth weights and fewer premature births. 

Source: USDA, 10/23/14, WIC @ 40

MASS GOES 100% EBT FOR WIC

By the end of this month, all WIC participants in Massachusetts will be receiving their benefits on EBT cards. The federal government is making all states switch to WIC EBT benefits by 2020, and Massachusetts is the first New England state to make the move. Families using the cards in the state feel the EBT system removes much of the stigma associated with receiving and using benefits, said Cheryl Bartlett, commissioner of the Department of Public Health. The state joins 14 states across the country that have made the change.

Source: MassLive, 10/14/14, WIC EBT

MASS GOES 100% EBT FOR WIC

By the end of this month, all WIC participants in Massachusetts will be receiving their benefits on EBT cards. The federal government is making all states switch to WIC EBT benefits by 2020, and Massachusetts is the first New England state to make the move. Families using the cards in the state feel the EBT system removes much of the stigma associated with receiving and using benefits, said Cheryl Bartlett, commissioner of the Department of Public Health. The state joins 14 states across the country that have made the change. 

Source: MassLive, 10/14/14, WIC EBT

WIC PARTICIPANTS ARE EATING BETTER

Women and children who participate in WIC are now eating more healthy fruits, vegetables and whole-grains thanks to the program’s updated food packaging guidelines, according to a new brief from The Food and Research Action Center. In 2007, the WIC guidelines were revised to align with the USDA’s dietary guidelines and infant feeding guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Among other things, the update aligned the amount of milk, cheese, eggs, fruit juice, and some infant formula in the package of staples with current nutrition standards. Additionally, low-fat and nonfat milk is now available, as well as more fruits, vegetables and whole-grains. 

Source: Preventobesity.net, 10/2/14, Healthier WIC

CHILD NUTRITION LAW REAUTHORIZATION

Every five years, Congress must reauthorize child nutrition programs.  During this process, Congress will debate new funding levels, ways to strengthen and improve the programs, and develop new policies to make sure our nation’s children have access to healthy, nutritious food.  The current bill, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, is set to expire on September 30, 2015. Next year, the following programs are up for renewal: 

▪      The Summer Food Service Program: Provides free meals and snacks to low-income children during the summer months.

▪      Child and Adult Care Food Program:  Provides nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in designated child and adult care centers, as well as snacks and suppers to children in afterschool programs. 

▪      WIC: Provides nutritious foods and nutrition education for low-income, at risk women, infants.

▪      National School Lunch and Breakfast programs: Provides nutritionally balanced meals to qualified children each school day. 

Source: Feeding America, 9/14, Child Nutrition Programs

WIC TURNS 40

WIC is celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2014. For the past four decades WIC has provided nutrition education, supplemental food, healthcare referrals, and breastfeeding support to low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5. In fiscal year 2013, an average of 8.6 million people participated every month in WIC (4.6 million children, 2 million infants and 2 million women). The 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act requires all states to implement a statewide Electronic Benefit Transfer EBT system by October 2020.  Most WIC agencies still provide checks or vouchers to participants to purchase the foods at state-approved retailers, but the use of EBT cards is increasing with nine states complete and another 39 states (including CT) in the planning or implementation stage.  

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures, 9/16/14, WIC

The WIC food packages were revised in 2007 to align the food authorized for purchase with the latest nutrition science and guidance. Most WIC participants are satisfied with the revised food packages in terms of the new foods offered and changes in the amounts of food. And, as a new issue brief reveals, a growing body of evidence shows that the revised WIC food packages have favorable effects on dietary intake, breastfeeding outcomes, and obesity rates. In addition, emerging studies suggest an important role for WIC in improving neighborhood food environments. 

Source: Food Research and Action Center, 9/8/14, WIC Impact

FOOD ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS EAT ICE CREAM, TOO

A woman standing in the grocery line behind an Atlanta, Georgia WIC beneficiary loudly asserted, “you know, if you’re on government assistance you really shouldn’t be buying ice cream and soda.” It’s impossible to quantify these incidents, but letters to news outlets, social media posts, and caseworker conversations reveal the unsolicited and guilt-producing remarks people using SNAP or WIC vouchers often have to contend with when grocery shopping. “I guess the assumption is that poor people should only eat certain things,” said Extriara Gates, benefits screener for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. But there’s nothing patriotic about this kind of talk or morally upstanding about it. It’s about belittling people.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/24/14, Shaming

LOCAL FOOD FOR CT WIC CUSTOMERS

Over the summer and through the early fall, Connecticut shoppers can turn to farmers’ markets throughout the state for fresh, local fruit and vegetables. These markets participate in WIC’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). According to the CTDepartment of Agriculture, eligible WIC recipients receive $15 in checks (five checks for $3 each) per market season to use at FMNP authorized farmers’ markets. The department recently posted on its website an updated list of farmers’ markets around the state, including 106 that are FMNP authorized.

SOURCE: CT Office of Legislative Research, 7/25/14, Farmers' Markets

USDA FUNDS WIC MODERNIZATION

USDA is giving 24 states and tribal nations $34 million to expand use of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems in WIC, as well as to replace and improve management information systems to promote greater efficiencies in WIC clinics. The grants will bring the WIC program closer to achieving nationwide EBT use by October 2020, as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Currently, only nine states and four Indian tribal organizations offer WIC benefits solely using EBT.

Source: USDA, 7/9/14, WIC Grants

THE WIC POTATO BATTLE CONTINUES….

The agriculture spending bill the House Appropriations Committee approved last week requires WIC to offer white potatoes.  The measure’s proponents argue that the federal government’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines for American’s supports their position. But four scientists who helped produce the report on which those guidelines are based disagree with the House action. They argue that:

·    Compared to other more nutrient-dense vegetables white potatoes are of limited benefit, especially in a nutritionally vulnerable population.

·    Pregnant women, new mothers and their children derive the greatest health benefit from eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, but recent data reveal white potatoes already contribute nearly 45% of vegetable intake (including 15% as French fries) in the diet of the average woman of childbearing age.

·    White potatoes are associated with weight gain, obesity, and diabetes, especially among people with low incomes. 

The Agriculture bill the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved also requires WIC to offer white potatoes.  But, unlike the House, under the Senate’s approach the next science-based review of WIC foods (expected in 2015) would determine whether WIC would continue to offer white potatoes.

 

Source: Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/30/14, WIC Potatoes

THE POTATO ISSUE CONTINUES TO BOIL

As part of their attempt to get Congress to mandate that WIC offer white potatoes, industry lobbyists claim that WIC participants can purchase white potatoes at farmers’ markets but not grocery stores. WIC participants cannot use their monthly fruit and vegetables vouchers to purchase white potatoes at grocery stores or farmers’ markets.  But some WIC participants can buy white potatoes using coupons they receive once a year through the very small, separate Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which was established in 1992 to provide fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants and to expand use their use of farmers’ markets.  At that time, WIC did not offer fruits and vegetables. There is no federal restriction on the purchase of white potatoes using FMNP coupons at farmers’ markets. The two programs are not comparable—WIC participants annually receive about $650 million in fruit and vegetable vouchers, FMNP participants received about $15 million last year.

 

Source: Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/15/14, Potatoes; Poverty and Policy, 5/19/14, More Potatoes

CONGRESS PUSHES POTATOES

Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mark Udall (D-CO) recently asserted that Congress should override the USDA’s science-based process for deciding which foods the WIC program provides by requiring WIC to add white potatoes. Forcing WIC to include white potatoes would set a dangerous precedent as Congress has never, in WIC’s 40-year history, required it to include any particular food, leaving that to experts in nutrition science and child and maternal health. As WIC’s formal name — the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — makes clear, WIC was never intended to provide a full range of foods.  Instead, it provides the key nutrients that nutrition experts say are missing from the diets of low-income pregnant and nursing women, infants, and young children.  And studies indicate that WIC participants already consume enough starchy vegetables, the most popular of which is the white potato.

 

Source: Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/13/14, Potatoes

WIC FRUIT & VEGETABLE INCENTIVES WORK

In 2009, WIC began to provide participants with cash-value vouchers to buy fruits and vegetables ($10 for women and $6 for children per month). A recent study shows those efforts are paying off. Before the incentives started, WIC benefits did not cover fruit, except for 100% fruit juice. Vegetables were limited to dried beans, peas, and, for breastfeeding women only, canned or fresh carrots. The incentives covered buying fresh, frozen, or canned fruit and vegetables. The study found fresh vegetables purchases increased in volume by nearly 18%, and frozen vegetables purchases increased by nearly 28%. The biggest improvements were for fresh fruit, with an increase of almost 29%.

 

Source: Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, 5/14/14, WIC Incentives

FEWER PEOPLE USING FOOD ASSISTANCE

About 1 in 4 Americans participates in at least 1 of USDA’S 15 domestic food and nutrition assistance programs at some point during the year.  But participation rates in several programs slowed or dropped during FY 2013, according to a recent USDA report.  While SNAP participation grew by 2.2%, this was the lowest increase since 2007.  WIC participation fell by 3%, the largest 1-year decrease since the program began in 1974. Participation in the school lunch program fell by 3%, particularly among children who pay full and reduced price. School breakfast participation increased, but only for children receiving free breakfasts.

 

Source: USDA, 2/14, Food Assistance Falls