Statewide
posted
Sep 13, 2012
The number of Vermonters struggling with hunger has finally
started to level off after a decade of steady increase. According
to new data released Sept. 5 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) in its annual report on food insecurity, 12.8% of Vermont
households do not have consistent access to enough nutritious food
- about 1 in 8 households- down from 13.8% last year.
Vermonters who continue to be out of work or underemployed due
to the recession may have been buffered from hunger by
participating in 3SquaresVT (formerly food stamps), which provides
them with more money for food. The program (called SNAP nationally)
is currently being debated in Congress as part of the Farm Bill. If
the cuts in SNAP that have been proposed by the House Agriculture
Committee are voted into law, many Vermonters will lose this
important food resource. The most vulnerable citizens depend on
this nutrition program: The average SNAP household has an income of
only 57% of the poverty level, and 84% of SNAP benefits go to
households with children, the elderly and or those with
disabilities.
Seniors and children are especially vulnerable to the
devastating effects of hunger. Research has shown that seniors have
higher rates of illness and disability with higher costs for
dependent care if they don't have access to adequate food. Children
living in food insecure households are in poorer health and have
significantly more trouble in school. This costs more in the
long run as society pays increased health care and education costs
for this underfed population.
SNAP works like a vaccine, preventing illness and improving
health outcomes for those who participate.
Executive Director of Hunger Free Vermont Marissa Parisi, notes
that "SNAP is doing its job in Vermont, reducing hunger and
stimulating the economy. Cutting the program now would be an
injustice as well as bad economic sense. Now is the time for
Congress to strengthen SNAP, to protect children and seniors from
the devastating effects of hunger. The recommendations
developed by the Farm Bill Nutrition Coalition of Vermont, convened
by Hunger Free Vermont, would help ensure that we provide adequate
food to all who need it."
