Transcript Slide 1

2008 Farm Bill Workshops
Food Assistance Policy
Economic Stimulus for Agriculture
Developed by: Bonnie Braun, Ph.D.
Extension Family Policy Specialist
University of Maryland Cooperative Extension
Presented by: [insert name]
[insert name] Family and Consumer Science Educator
The Food, Conservation and Energy
Act of 2008
To clarify the link between
agriculture and food & nutrition
assistance policy
2008
Which of these percentages
approximates the amount of the USDA
annual budget allocated
for food assistance:
10% 30% 60% 80%
National Food & Nutrition Programs
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/
• Food Stamps (SNAP)
• Women, Infants and Children’s Supplemental
Nutrition (WIC)
• Farmers’ Market (WIC and Seniors)
• School Meals (Breakfast and Lunch)
• Summer Food Service
• Child and Adult Care Food Program
• Food Distribution
• Food Assistance for Disaster Relief
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
• An act to:
• Strengthen the agricultural economy;
• Help to achieve a fuller and more effective
use of food abundances;
• Provide for improved levels of nutrition
among low income households through a
cooperative program of federal-state food
assistance
2008 Farm Bill Changes to
Food Stamp Program
Name changed to SNAP-Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Largest increase in Food Stamp Program in
15 years for a total of $8,694M
between 2009-2017
Expands free fruits & vegetables in low-income
schools
Indexed to inflation, for the first time in over 40
years, to stop loss of food purchasing power
Impact of Selected Farm Bill
Nutrition Improvements for 2009
• 131,000 Marylanders direct beneficiaries
[10,703,000 in U.S.]
• $8M increase to MD; $2M in F&V
[$524M in U.S.; $96M in F&V]
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM:
AVERAGE MONTHLY PARTICIPATION
(PERSONS)
http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/15fsfypart.htm
(Data as of July 29, 2008)
State
Maryland
US Total
FY 2003
FY 2004
252,383
273,872
21,259,152
23,857,607
FY 2005
288,943
25,717,830
FY 2006
FY 2007
305,395
317,285
26,672,294
26,468,563
The number of persons participating is reported monthly.
Annual averages are the sums divided by twelve.
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM: AVERAGE MONTHLY BENEFIT
PER PERSON
http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/18fsavgben.htm
(Data as of July 29,2007)
State
FY2003
FY 2004
FY 2005
Maryland
$84.83
$87.24
$92.33
US
TOTAL
$83.90
$85.99
$92.57
FY 20006
FY 2007
$91.71
$93.67
$94.32
$95.63
Food Stamp Benefits 2002
Legend
Less than
$500,000
$500,000 --$1.3M
$1.3M –
2.6M
$2.6M—
5.7M
> than
$5.7M
Effects of Food Stamps on
Agriculture
• Supplementation
Effect
Food stamps
total spending on
food.
•
of Food Stamp
benefits
= $5 - $10 billion
over 6 years in
retail food spending.
USDA ERS “The Changing Food Assistance Landscape” l999
Effects of Food Stamps on
Agriculture
Estimated spending declines by
food category:
1) Beef
2) Grain
3) Pork
4) Dairy
5) Fruit
6) Other Meat
7) Fish/seafood
8) Eggs
9) Vegetables
USDA ERS “The Changing Food
Assistance Landscape” 1999
Maryland Top Commodities 2006
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Broilers
Greenhouse/nursery
Dairy products
Corn
Soybeans
** Potential growth in local foods,
especially fruits and vegetables
USDA ERS “State Facts” 7/2/2008
Effects of Food Stamps on
Agriculture
Low income households spend $1 of $3
for animal protein
which provide a larger farmer’s share of retail
value due to less processing.
USDA ERS “The Changing Food
Assistance Landscape” l999
$$ Food Assistance & Agriculture $$
In 2007, Maryland had 317,825 individuals enrolled in the FSP.
Av. monthly value, $95.63 / person for a $3M monthly flow of
federal dollars to the state; $357M yearly flow. Every $5 in
federal funds generates $10 in economic activity. The economic
activity of the current flow of dollars for Maryland is $714M.
About 25% of those eligible are not enrolled in the food stamp
program. Using the above formula, how many federal dollars
are not flowing to families and agricultural operations yearly ?
$_____
Implications for Maryland
When more eligible families use family,
community, and government food assistance,
the odds increase that:
1) Child & adult health, school & job
performance will improve
2) Agricultural producers, processors &
retailers will see increased consumer
food purchases
Opportunities for Maryland
 Encourage participation in federally-funded food and
nutrition & nutrition education programs
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/
 Conduct a local food security assessment
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/in_focus/hunger_if_competitive.html
 Increase access to farmers’markets purchases
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SeniorFMNP/SFMNPmenu.htm
 Participate in providing food to school systems
http://www.mda.state.md.us/mdfarmtoschool/
“The choices we make about diet,
activity & tobacco affect not only
our own lives, but also affect
the economic health of our families,
our businesses and even our nation
as a whole.”
Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary
Health and Human Services 9/16/03