Food Research & Action Center

03/13/2023

Medicaid Unwinding Will Hurt Families Struggling to Put Food on the Table - Food Research & Action Center

Millions of households face a hunger cliff now that the SNAP Emergency Allotments have ended. Many of these same households may also be at risk of losing health insurance coverage as the Medicaid continuous coverage provision ends on March 31, exacerbating hardships for household health, food security, and economic security. Learn how you can take action today in a blog by FRAC's Alex Ashbrook. https://frac.org/blog/medicaid-unwinding

March 13, 2023 Millions of households face a hunger cliff now that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s Emergency Allotments have ended. Many of these same households may also be at risk of losing health insurance coverage as the Medicaid continuous coverage provision ends on March 31, ...

03/13/2023

Registration is now open for the first-ever hybrid National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference from May 7-9! Join FRAC, Feeding America, and thousands of advocates from all across the country to network, attend workshops, and exchange best practices. https://antihungerpolicyconference.org/registration/

03/10/2023

President's Budget Makes Important Investments to Help Tens of Millions of Households Struggling With Hunger and Poverty - Food Research & Action Center

FRAC commends the president’s proposed 2024 budget for investments in alleviating hardship, advancing equity, and creating economic opportunities for millions of families across the country. We are especially pleased to see that the budget includes increased support for the , , and tax credits for families with lower incomes.
We are also heartened by the president’s messages about opportunities for the upcoming Farm Bill to strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), our nation’s first line of defense against hunger. Read our statement. https://frac.org/news/presidentsbudgetmarch2023

Media Contact: Jordan Baker [email protected] 202-640-1118 Statement attributable to Luis Guardia, President, Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) WASHINGTON, March 10, 2023 — FRAC commends the president’s proposed 2024 budget for investments in alleviating hardship, advancing equity, and creating...

03/10/2023

STATEMENT: Gottheimer, Porter Urge Congress to Invest in School Meals for All - Josh Gottheimer

“This week, we’re honoring National School Breakfast Week and recognizing the important role that nutritious school breakfasts play in fueling students for success. Too often, children have to get through their day at school without the fuel they need to be active participants in the classroom. You cannot propel a rocket without fuel, and the same goes for a growing student. They are rockets ready to take off, but they won’t reach their dreams without fuel in the tank.
This National School Breakfast Week, we’re urging congressional leadership to invest in child nutrition programs — to provide school breakfast and lunch for all nationwide. Without these investments, millions of children will not have access to healthy school-provided meals." https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/statement-gottheimer-porter-urge-congress-to-invest-in-school-meals-for-all

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, March 10, 2023, during National School Breakfast Week, U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Katie Porter (CA-47) released the following statement: “This week, we’re honoring National School Breakfast Week and recognizing the important role that nutritious s...

03/10/2023

Urge Congress to Support Legislation that maintains and expands access to healthy across the country, using the FRAC Action Network. https://p2a.co/Grkmrl6

03/09/2023

School Meals Report, 2021–2022 School Year (March 2023) - Food Research & Action Center

According to FRAC's new report, during the 2021–2022 school year, just over 15.5 million children ate every school day. and can help us serve even more students this year! http://bit.ly/3ZPnzhm
Read a blog by FRAC's Clarissa Hayes summarizing the key findings. https://frac.org/blog/school-meals-reach-report-2023

Food Research & Action Center’s report, The Reach of School Breakfast and Lunch During the 2021–2022 School Year , reveals that just over 15.5 million children received a school breakfast, and 29.9 million children received a school lunch on an average day during the 2021–2022 school year — ...

03/08/2023

School Nutrition Standards Model Comment Letter

Join FRAC in showing support for USDA’s “Proposed Updates to School Nutrition Standards”, which better align nutrition requirements to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and improve the nutrient intake of millions of children across the country. Use FRAC's resource to easily send USDA a model comment letter supporting the proposed nutrition standards. https://frac.salsalabs.org/nutritionstandardscommentplatform2023/index.html

Take action now to support USDA's proposed improvements to the nutrition standards for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program by submitting a comment on this proposed rule.

03/08/2023

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Summer Meals: Developing an Outreach and Marketing Plan + Non-Congregate Guidance Update from USDA. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

The last installation of FRAC’s Summer Meals: Back to Basics series will dive into strategies for developing and executing a summer outreach plan. Join FRAC and guest speakers to learn more about innovative campaigns to maximize participation in summer meals through effective outreach and marketing strategies.

This webinar will also include an update from USDA-FNS on the recently released guidance for non-congregate meal service in rural areas. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ngtO11poRaGSZ0cG26afIg

The last installation of FRAC’s Summer Meals: Back to Basics series will dive into strategies for developing and executing a summer outreach plan. Join FRAC and guest speakers to learn more about innovative campaigns to maximize participation in summer meals through effective outreach and marketin...

03/08/2023

Cuts to SNAP benefits will push millions over the hunger cliff

Anti-hunger advocates like FRAC have put forward several legislative priorities to enhance SNAP benefits and increase access. They’re calling to close existing gaps in access, allow the purchase of hot food with SNAP benefits, end the three-month in three years time limit for certain beneficiaries and expand benefits to those in need — like low-income college students, residents of U.S. territories and lawfully present immigrants. They’re also calling to end the lifetime ban that prevents formerly incarcerated people from receiving food assistance. https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/3887554-cuts-to-snap-benefits-will-push-millions-over-the-hunger-cliff/

The U.S. is the wealthiest nation in the world — none of us should be going hungry or standing at the edge of a cliff about to fall over.

03/07/2023

Students who eat breakfast at school have increased concentration, comprehension, and memory. . Tell us, why do YOU love ? Tag and Tell FRAC on Twitter () and Instagram ()

03/07/2023

Momentum is building! This , raise your hand and join FRAC, students, parents, teachers, doctors, policymakers, and many others in support of so every child has the nutrition they need to learn and thrive. http://www.freeschoolmealsforall.org/

03/07/2023

Community Eligibility season is upon us! On March 16, join FRAC & partners as we look ahead to the 2023-2024 school year and discuss the basics and benefits of community eligibility, along with resources and tools available to aid in the adoption process. http://bit.ly/3mmYRGJ

03/06/2023

The 2023 hybrid National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference (AHPC) is seeking exciting and innovative session proposals. will be held May 7-9. Session proposals are due Friday, March 10. Learn more and submit a proposal: http://bit.ly/3XRs89z

03/06/2023

2023 National School Breakfast Week Resources - Food Research & Action Center

🎙Today is the start of National School Breakfast Week! Tag and tell on Twitter and on Instagram who is your Champion and why.

Need ideas on how to raise awareness about ? Check out FRAC's menu of activities for ideas. https://bit.ly/nsbw2023

NSBW is a weeklong celebration from March 2–6 of the federal School Breakfast Program, which provides nearly 12.4 million low-income children with a nutritious morning meal each school day.

03/03/2023

Tomorrow, Saturday March 4, FRAC's Ellen Vollinger and Gina Plata-Nino will appear on "The Katie Phang Show" & "Velshi" to discuss the hunger cliff now facing millions of households receiving SNAP benefits.

Katie Phang sheds light on the intersection of law, politics and culture on the local and national levels. Ellen will join her for a discussion on SNAP Emergency Allotments at 8:45 am ET.

Gina will join "Velshi" to speak on the expired benefits and their impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show examines the intersection of business, politics and the economy. The interview will begin at 10:25 am ET.

03/03/2023

The Impact of the 1968 I am A Man Campaign: An Interview with William Lucy - Food Research & Action Center

William Lucy is the former International Secretary of Treasurer of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees AFSCME and one of the co-founders of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Lucy retired 10 years ago and is currently on the Board of Directors of the NAACP.
In the following interview, Lucy discusses the impact of the 1968 I am A Man Campaign, where sanitation workers went on strike in Memphis, Tennessee. Lucy was a labor leader for this strike.
In celebration of Black History Month, Lucy was interviewed by Michael J. Wilson, director of Maryland Hunger Solutions. https://frac.org/blog/william-lucy-interview-2023

March 2, 2023 William Lucy is the former International Secretary of Treasurer of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and one of the co-founders of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Lucy retired 10 years ago and is currently on the Board of Directors of the....

03/02/2023

Baltimore City Public Schools Recognizes Food and Nutrition Staff with ‘Food for Thought’ Exhibition - Food Research & Action Center

When the COVID-19 pandemic spread across America, school food service workers brought their mission to the forefront of America’s attention, reminding the nation of the importance of the child nutrition programs. With school buildings closed, before masks or social distancing, months before a vaccine was available, school nutrition professionals came out of their kitchens to serve their community. Baltimore City Public Schools, in collaboration with the Baltimore Museum of Industry, has recognized that heroic effort and the work cafeteria professionals do daily in their current exhibition “Food For Thought: Spotlighting Food Service Workers at Baltimore City Public Schools”. Learn more from a blog by FRAC's Erin Hysom and Maryland Hunger Solutions's Elisabet Eppes. https://frac.org/blog/baltimore-food-for-thought-exhibition

March 2, 2023 When the COVID-19 pandemic spread across America, school food service workers brought their mission to the forefront of America’s attention, reminding the nation of the importance of the child nutrition programs. With school buildings closed, before masks or social distancing, months...

03/02/2023

Join FRAC during National School Breakfast Week, March 6-10, to celebrate the critical role school breakfast plays in student health and learning. This year, FRAC is focused on pairing proven breakfast expansion strategies with Healthy School Meals for All to ensure that all students have access to a healthy morning meal. https://frac.org/research/resource-library/national-school-breakfast-week-resources

03/01/2023

States Strive to Help SNAP Recipients Cope With Lower Benefits

“We’re saying these families face a hunger cliff — more hardship and more food insecurity. People don’t have a cushion,”said FRAC's Ellen Vollinger. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2023/02/28/states-strive-to-help-snap-recipients-cope-with-lower-benefits

More than 41 million people bought food with SNAP benefits last year.

02/28/2023

FRAC announced Mayra E. Alvarez, president of The Children's Partnership, has been named the new chair of its board of directors. She succeeds Judith H. Whittlesey, executive vice president of Susan Davis International, who served seven years in the role for the national anti-hunger organization. Read our statement. https://frac.org/news/alvarezboardchairfebruary2023

02/28/2023

Are you a health care provider? Participate in a FRAC and AARP Foundation survey by Wednesday March 8 to provide insights on screening for and addressing food insecurity for patients 50 years of age or older. http://bit.ly/3IYfpO3

02/28/2023

‎V Interesting with V Spehar: Oh SNAP! with Gina Plata-Nino, Jimmy Carter’s Legacy, Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice... Equity! on Apple Podcasts

FRAC's Gina Plata-Nino joined the podcast V Interesting with Vitus Spehar. In this episode Gina explains why we should have more compassion for people who are food insecure, and lays out what can be done to help protect SNAP benefits ahead of reauthorizing the 2023 . https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oh-snap-with-gina-plata-nino-jimmy-carters-legacy/id1626342129?i=1000601401986

‎Show V Interesting with V Spehar, Ep Oh SNAP! with Gina Plata-Nino, Jimmy Carter’s Legacy, Beetlejuice... Beetlejuice... Equity! - Feb 24, 2023

02/27/2023

NY’s $4.4 Billion Question: Why Are State & Its Neediest Missing Out on Major Federal Assistance?

“New York State has important opportunities to build on the efforts it makes to bring home the federal dollars to which New Yorkers are entitled in SNAP and many other key public benefits,” said FRAC President, Luis Guardia. “This new report shows that by using additional technology tools and data matching the state can help leverage more federal SNAP dollars that will improve food security and health for New Yorkers and boost the state’s economy.” https://states.aarp.org/new-york/nys-4-4-billion-question-why-are-state-its-neediest-missing-out-on-major-federal-assistance

New Report: ‘Data Matching’ Could Help New Yorkers Get the Assistance They Qualify For, Drive $4.4 B in Economic Stimulus

02/27/2023

D.C. Households Face Hunger Cliff as Emergency Allotments End - Food Research & Action Center

Emergency Allotments will end in Washington, D.C on February 28. This comes at a time when many families are still trying to recover from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and are now seeing unprecedented inflation at the grocery store. These factors will lead to what many call a “hunger cliff,” where households are seeing a large decrease in benefits that makes it more difficult to put food on the table. This will worsen the hardship that many are already facing, widen racial disparities in food access and food insecurity, and increase food insecurity in households with children. The loss of SNAP EAs also will negatively impact our economy. Learn more in a blog by DC Hunger Solutions Blake Turpin. https://frac.org/blog/d-c-households-face-hunger-cliff-as-emergency-allotments-end

This blog is Part 1 in a two-part series. Part 1 focuses on the impact of the end of SNAP Emergency Allotments in Washington, D.C. Part 2 highlights two anti-hunger bills passed by the D.C. Council to address food insecurity in the District — the Give SNAP a Raise Amendment Act and the No Senior [...

02/24/2023

FRAC Commends USDA for Efforts to Modernize Online Shopping for WIC - Food Research & Action Center

FRAC commends the U.S. Department of Agriculture for proposing changes to allow for online ordering in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The program provides monthly benefits for specific nutritious foods to support good health for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding individuals, infants, and young children. Bringing online will go a long way in making sure that millions of participants have equitable access to the nutrition they need for their well-being. Read our statement. https://frac.org/news/onlineshoppingwicfebruary2023

Media Contact: Jordan Baker [email protected] 202-640-1118 Statement attributable to Luis Guardia, President, Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) WASHINGTON, February 24, 2023 — FRAC commends the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for proposing changes to allow for online ordering in the Special...

02/24/2023

Farm Bill 101: Demystifying the Largest Piece of Legislation That Directly Affects SNAP

Watch a FRAC webinar recording and learn why the Farm Bill matters, what you need to know about it, and what concrete steps you and your state partners can take to promote SNAP benefit adequacy and equitable access. With the hunger cliff looming, elevating the needs of people with lower incomes in the Farm Bill is more important than ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7c0t0djlVo

Learn why the Farm Bill matters, what you need to know about it, and what concrete steps you and your state partners can take to promote SNAP benefit adequac...

02/23/2023

We're excited to host a zoom meeting with the community to talk about transitioning to summer food service programs! We'll be talking best practices with panelists and community members on March 7! Join the Alliance for a Healthier Generation , the CACFP Roundtable, afterschool network, and the Food Research & Action Center

Register here: https://bit.ly/3YUDquN

02/23/2023

Creating Universal School Meals

“Everybody knows that when kids are hungry, they can’t focus, they can’t concentrate and they have a hard time behaving. And as schools are working so hard to overcome the learning disruptions that were created by the pandemic — the social-emotional impacts, the health impacts — offering free meals to all students is a really easy way to support academics, behavior and mental health,” said FRAC's Crystal FitzSimons. https://publications.csba.org/issue/winter-2023/creating-universal-school-meals/

A palpable excitement not for the beige, barely edible items about to be consumed, but for the promise of recess. Lunch time in public schools, once more of a chore than a respite...

02/22/2023

Show Love for Grandfamilies and Kinship Families in Your Community - Food Research & Action Center

A quarter of grandparent-headed households reported experiencing food insecurity, according to FRAC analysis conducted for Generations United. Fortunately, the federal nutrition programs – including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), school meals, Summer EBT, and WIC – provide essential support that improves the nutrition, health, and well-being of households with low incomes. Learn more in a blog by FRAC's Susan Beaudoin. http://bit.ly/3XOzFpG

February 21, 2023 For 2.5 million children around the U.S., grandparents, other relatives, or close family friends show an ultimate form of love each day by stepping up to raise these children when their parents are unable to do so. These families, known as grandfamilies or kinship families, provide...

02/21/2023

Submitter Login Page - Call for Papers - 2023 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference

The 2023 hybrid National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference (AHPC) is seeking exciting and innovative session proposals. will be held May 7-9. Session proposals are due Tuesday, March 7. Learn more and submit a proposal: http://bit.ly/3XRs89z

02/21/2023

Register today and join tomorrow! https://hungercenter.org/blog/join-us-for-an-alum-panel-spotlight-on-child-nutrition/

Join us on Wednesday, February 22 at 2 p.m. for the continuation of our series of webinars featuring alum experts. This webinar will highlight the work of three of the Congressional Hunger Center’s Alum Experts who are working on state, local, and federal solutions to guarantee no child goes hungry. Alums will share insights and successes regarding Child Nutrition Policy across the country and how Child Nutrition Authorization, a divided Congress, and recent mid-term election may impact the year ahead.

Our panel will share insights and lessons learned with their work on child nutrition policy at the federal and state level, including effective strategies for expanding access to free school meals. Featured panelists and moderators will include Marc Jacobson (Emerson ’99, Hunger Free Colorado), Alexis Bylander (Emerson ’05, FRAC), and Amirio Freeman (Emerson ’18, Feeding America.)

Tap the link https://hungercenter.org/blog/join-us-for-an-alum-panel-spotlight-on-child-nutrition/ for registration information. We'll see you there!

02/21/2023

Food Equity as Black Resistance | "As We R" with LaMonika Jones and Dr. Beverley Wheeler

In a DC Public Library interview, Interim Director of DC Hunger Solutions, LaMonika N. Jones J and Chief Knowledge Officer of DC Central Kitchen, Beverley Wheeler, Ed.D. met at the Capitol View Neighborhood Library to talk about the issue of food equity in the District, how to combat food apartheid and what the Black community can do to fight for food sovereignty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbe2vXzxsTc

Interim Director of DC Hunger Solutions, LaMonika Jones and Chief Knowledge Officer of DC Central Kitchen, Dr. Beverley Wheeler meet at the Capitol View Neig...

02/21/2023

The USDA released proposed revisions to Child Nutrition Programs’ meal patterns to be consistent with the 2020 dietary guidelines for Americans. To learn more about the changes and how they would impact the CACFP and SFSP, hear from USDA at 2:30pm ET on March 1, 2023. Register today! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K97XuQ9ZSqyJ1oFuuKcdVQ

02/16/2023

With millions facing food inflation and a growing , urge Congress to ensure benefit adequacy for SNAP households. Share the impact of the end of SNAP emergency allotments in your state, using FRAC's resource. https://bit.ly/3K8wwOg
Check out FRAC's SNAP Emergency Allotments webpage for a one-stop resource. https://frac.org/programs/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/emergency-allotments

02/16/2023

Join FRAC today for a Day of Action and share your story on the impact of the end of SNAP Emergency Allotments and the looming . No family should jump through hoops to feed and support their households to meet their basic needs. to all families. http://bit.ly/3E46fMW
Watch and share your thoughts during a FARM Bill hearing at 10 am Eastern today on lifting up why . https://www.c-span.org/video/?526091-1/agriculture-dept-officials-testify-nutrition-programs

02/15/2023

How Anore Horton Of Hunger Free Vermont Is Helping To Address The Growing Challenge Of Food…

"And of course, there’s the Food Research & Action Center in Washingotn, D.C., which helps us all out with data, and pulls us all together to help us speak powerfully with one voice on national hunger issues." Read a profile about how Hunger Free Vermont’s Anore Horton is helping to address the growing challenge of food insecurity. https://medium.com/authority-magazine/how-anore-horton-of-hunger-free-vermont-is-helping-to-address-the-growing-challenge-of-food-a8480180f361

An Interview With Martita Mestey

02/15/2023

Kellie Adesina, director, global government affairs, The Kraft Heinz Company , FRAC president Luis Guardia, and LaQuita Honeysucker, director of Civil Rights and Community Engagement, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union raised their hand for healthy ! Join them in building the momentum across the United States! http://www.freeschoolmealsforall.org/ (Pictured L-R)

02/15/2023

Strolling Thunder 2023

Do you have a story that will urge Congress to ? is passing the mic to families from all 50 states and DC to share their story with Members of Congress at on June 21. Learn more & RT to spread the word! https://www.thinkbabies.org/strollingthunder/

ZERO TO THREE is connecting babies and families from all 50 states and DC to their Members of Congress for Strolling Thunder  on May 2, 2023. Families will meet with their policymakers virtually and share what babies and families need to thrive.