We hope everyone will join us this Thursday, January 29, 2015,
for our next Pathfinder Produce fresh fruit and vegetable market. You can
find the freshest tastes around at the Village Commons, from 2 to 5 p.m.
***
GREAT NEWS:
We’re pleased to announce that in addition to accepting cash, personal checks,
and VISA/MasterCard/Discover card payments, patrons of our Pathfinder Produce may now
use SNAP benefits to shop with and serve more fresh fruits and vegetables
during meals. By accepting SNAP payments, it is hoped that area families
will be able to eat a more healthy diet and extend their food dollars.
Studies show that better nutrition helps students
perform better, and seniors
feel better, both of which
are positive results.
What is SNAP? SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program, which is overseen by the US Department of Agriculture. This
program, the successor of the Food Stamps Program, offers nutritional
assistance to families that are struggling financially. If you or someone
you know needs food assistance, the first place to go for help is the County’s
Department of Social Services. Another handy reference is the SNAP eligibility and
application 10-point
checklist.
According to Feeding America.org, 49.1 million Americans live in food
insecure households, including 33.3 million adults and 15.8 million children
(2013). Other statistics show that about
4.8 million seniors are also food insecure, and are generally reluctant to seek assistance.
SNAP is our nation’s largest domestic hunger safety net, and according to the
USDA, has a powerful antipoverty effect: When SNAP benefits are added to a
family’s gross income, 12 % of SNAP households move above the poverty
line. Admittedly, I don’t know much about the program, so I did some
quick research.
According to the USDA, in 2013:
- Over 60 % of SNAP participants were children, elderly, or had disabilities: 54% of these individuals were under age 18, 9% were 60+, and 10% were disabled adults.
- About 11% of SNAP households are in or near smaller cities and towns, and about 7% live in rural areas.
- Many SNAP participants had jobs. About 31% of SNAP households had earnings and 42% of all SNAP participants lived in a household with earnings.
- Less than 7% of all SNAP households received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits.
- Nearly 24% of SNAP households received Social Security, and 20% received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits given to the aged and disabled.
- Nearly 22% of SNAP households had no cash income of any kind.
- The average gross income for all SNAP households was $758 per month.
- The average monthly benefit received by SNAP households was $271.
Through government programs like SNAP, coupled with efforts of local food banks, soup kitchens and charitable programs, we can improve the hunger situation. Here in New York State, things are looking up, as it was recently announced that $4.5 million will be invested in the emergency food system, which will help 2,600 food providers support 3 million state residents who access emergency food programs each year.
Until next time, be
well,
Lori
