As the U.S. House of Representatives considers extreme cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of the Republicans’ Farm Bill, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) introduced the “Food Security Improvement Act” to boost benefits that help hungry Americans feed their families.
Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) to calculate SNAP benefits. The TFP makes many assumptions about food availability, food cost, and food preparation to estimate the minimal cost to provide a nutritious diet. But many of these assumptions don’t reflect the real challenges associated with poverty in the lives of Americans trying to feed their families. This legislation would replace the TFP with USDA’s Low Cost Food Plan for calculating benefits.
Introduction of this legislation coincides with consideration by the House of Representatives of the Republican “Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018” (H.R. 2), which would cut 2 million beneficiaries—including 23,000 military families—from SNAP, impose ineffective and damaging work requirements, and cut a total of $23 billion from the program.
Following introduction, Congressman Deutch issued this statement:
“House Republicans’ plan is cruel. SNAP was created as a response to the moral imperative to feed the hungry. But American families using SNAP benefits should not fear having to skip meals or run out of benefits before the end of the month. Contrary to the myths used to attack SNAP, benefits are modest, an average of just $1.40 per meal. Rather than making it more difficult for vulnerable Americans to feed their families, Congress should make improvements to the SNAP program so it better reflects the real challenges of poverty. This legislation will ensure that we continue to respond to the needs of those who need a little help putting food on their table.”
Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) to calculate SNAP benefits. The TFP makes many assumptions about food availability, food cost, and food preparation to estimate the minimal cost to provide a nutritious diet. But many of these assumptions don’t reflect the real challenges associated with poverty in the lives of Americans trying to feed their families. This legislation would replace the TFP with USDA’s Low Cost Food Plan for calculating benefits.
Introduction of this legislation coincides with consideration by the House of Representatives of the Republican “Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018” (H.R. 2), which would cut 2 million beneficiaries—including 23,000 military families—from SNAP, impose ineffective and damaging work requirements, and cut a total of $23 billion from the program.
Following introduction, Congressman Deutch issued this statement:
“House Republicans’ plan is cruel. SNAP was created as a response to the moral imperative to feed the hungry. But American families using SNAP benefits should not fear having to skip meals or run out of benefits before the end of the month. Contrary to the myths used to attack SNAP, benefits are modest, an average of just $1.40 per meal. Rather than making it more difficult for vulnerable Americans to feed their families, Congress should make improvements to the SNAP program so it better reflects the real challenges of poverty. This legislation will ensure that we continue to respond to the needs of those who need a little help putting food on their table.”
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