Millions of people across the U.S. receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, but a revised version of the 2018 Farm Bill currently going through Congress could cut benefits over the next decade.
“The current version of the farm bill would be harmful to people facing hunger in our communities and it’s not just the cuts for families who need those funds to afford groceries at the grocery store, this also impacts the food that we distribute directly as well,” said Jason Kanawati Stephany, VP of communications for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC.
“We’re talking about significant cuts especially as food prices are increasing across the board, across the country, we just can’t have the current version of this Farm Bill make it through if we’re going to continue to make progress on hunger and our communities.”
Leaders with the food bank joined Congresswoman Deborah Ross Tuesday to talk about the need to fully fund SNAP in the farm bill set to expire at the end of September.
“We’re talking about 580,000 people who are facing hunger in our communities and that’s just in one part of the state. When you take a look statewide there are almost 2 million people who rely on programs like SNAP, WIC and senior meals,” said Kanawati Stephany.
Congresswoman Ross says if there are cuts to snap it could have a big impact on North Carolinians who receive benefits including kids and families.
“If there are cuts to SNAP, we will send more kids to school hungry. We will have more moms who can’t stock their panties, it will be devastating, and we are the richest country in the world and that is simply a sin,” said Rep. Ross.
She says she believes it’s possible Congress will have a resolution by the end of the year but not before the election.