Transcript Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP

Fun with Food:
Stretching Your Food Dollars
Ryan Johnson & Ross Safford
Job Loss Professionals: New Tools for New Times
September 21, 2010
Food Support = SNAP
• Eligibility = 130% of FPG or $28,665 for a family of four
• Average monthly grant = $212/household
• $368/month for families
• $78/month for seniors
• $318 million in Federal funds to MN (2008)
• Only 54% of eligible Minnesotans participate
• Blue Earth = 29%
• Beltrami = 82%
• Full participation could bring an additional $394 million dollars to MN
Sources: DHS, Hunger Solutions Minnesota, USDA
Food Support Benefits
For State and Local Communities
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By increasing the number of people on Food Support, communities
bring in more Federal money
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Local businesses benefit when Food Support dollars are spent in
grocery stores
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Every $5 in new Food Support benefits generates $9.20 in total
community spending
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Nationwide, retail food demand by Food Support recipients generates
3,300 farm jobs
“Extending food stamps are the most effective ways to prime the
economy's pump. A $1 increase in food stamp payments boosts GDP by $1.73.”
- Mark Zandi, Chief Economist and Co-founder of Moody’s Economy.com
Source: USDA
Food Support Benefits
For Low-Income Workers
• Families receiving Food Support spend more money on food than other lowincome households.
• Every additional dollar’s worth of Food Support generates 17 - 47 cents of new
spending on food.
• Employees whose food needs are met at home have higher productivity and
take fewer sick days for themselves and their children.
• Participants become financially stable as they transition to self sufficiency.
• Half of all new participants leave the program within nine months.
Source: USDA
Recent Food Support Changes
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Combined Application Form simplified – 2008 (more changes coming
soon)
Benefits available on EBT card up to 1 year
6 month reporting – March 1, 2009
Benefits increased by 13.6% ($16 minimum) – April 1, 2009
Telephone interviews for eligibility and recertification – October 15, 2009
No time limit or work requirements for Able Bodied Adults Without
Dependents (ABAWDs) – extended to September 30, 2011
No asset test – November 1, 2010
Eligibility increased to 165% FPG ($36,383 for a family of 4) – November
1, 2010
Online application – March 2011
Sources: DHS, Hunger Solutions Minnesota
MN Food Support Characteristics
• From 12/08-12/09, overall participation increased by 30%
• Other Adult Households (ABAWDs) increased by 105%
• Family Households increased by 37%
• Senior Households increased by 8%
• Disabled Households increased by 12%
• 60% of Other Adult Households had no income
• Majority of Other Adult Households were young men in their 20’s
• Other Adult Households were disproportionately black
• 30% compared to 24% of all Food Support adults
Source: DHS
Source: DHS
• 36% = Family Households
• 27% = Disabled Households
• 23% = Other Adult Households
• 15% = Seniors Households
Source: DHS
MN Food Support Demographics
• 57% female
• 67% had at least a H.S. diploma or GED
• 22% between 30-39 (highest for any age range)
• 60% White
• 24% Black (4% of all MN adults)
• 7% Asian
• 5% American Indian
• 4% Hispanic
• 91% U.S. Citizens
Source: DHS
Economic Characteristics
• 19% of all households had no income
• 58% of Family Households were working ($1,178/month)
• 64% reported unearned income ($732/month)
• Unemployment Insurance, Workers’ Compensation, etc.
• Average of 36 months on Food Support
• 28 months for Family Households
• 14 months for Other Adults
Source: DHS
Food Support Outreach
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20 community organizations (CAPs and hunger
relief agencies) that provide information and
application assistance to Food Support-eligible
clients
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Local agencies cover 56 counties
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Minnesota Food HelpLine (1-888-711-1151)
covers the entire state
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Bridge to Benefits (bridgetobenefits.org) can
help people find out if they are eligible and lists
the FSO agencies
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More local agencies coming on board in
October, 2010
What is Simply Good Eating?
Simply Good Eating is FREE nutrition education for Food Support-eligible
clients.
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Teaches the importance of a quality diet
Helps people purchase healthy foods within a limited budget
Teaches how to prepare healthy meals with quick and easy recipes
Encourages a physically active lifestyle
Uses science-based, behaviorally-focused curriculum
U of M Extension and Minnesota Chippewa Tribe nutrition educators deliver the
programming
Consistent nutrition education messages need to be communicated through
multiple channels that reach people where they live, work, learn and play.
Why is nutrition education
important?
• Low-income households have a higher prevalence of health conditions
related to poor nutrition than higher income households
– Obesity rates have increased the most among the lowest income levels
– Low-income women are 50% more likely to be obese than women with higher
incomes
– Children of overweight mothers are more likely to be overweight by age 6 than other
children
• Obesity puts people at a greater risk for heart disease, hypertension,
diabetes and some cancers
• With good nutrition, seniors stay in their homes longer and have lower
medical bills
• Well nourished children have better school attendance and are more
focused on learning
Sources: USDA, CDC-National Center for Health Statistics
Partnering with Extension
• Nutrition Educators are located in every
county:
– http://www.extension.umn.edu/Nutrition/contact.html
– 612-625-7070
• Programming is offered in a variety of
settings:
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Food shelves
WIC clinics
Senior citizen centers
Child care centers
Low-income housing
Shelters
Grocery stores
Key Partners
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Area Agencies on Aging
Association of Minnesota Counties
Community Action Agencies
County Extension Committees
County Human Service Directors
County Public Health Departments
Food Support Outreach Grantees
Head Start Agencies
Hunger Relief Organizations (food shelves, food banks, meal programs)
Minnesota Association of Financial Assistance Supervisors
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development/WorkForce
Minnesota Fathers and Families Network
Minnesota Financial Fitness Network
Simply Good Eating:
Cooking for Health and Stretching Food Dollars
Ross Safford
Job Loss Professionals: New Tools for New Times
September 21, 2010
Fast Food?
Cookery means the knowledge of Medea and of Circe, and
of Calypso, of Helen and of the queen of Sheba. It means
knowledge of all herbs, and fruits, and balms and spices,
and all that is healing and sweet in the fields and groves
and savory in meats. It means carefulness and
inventiveness and readiness… It means the economy of
your grandmother and great-grandmother and the science
of modern chemist; it means much testing and no wasting;
it means (English) thoroughness, (French) art, and (Arabian)
hospitality. It means, in fine, that your are to see always,
that everyone has something nice to eat.
– John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)
Questions?
Ryan Johnson
[email protected]
651-431-3854
Ross Safford
[email protected]
612-625-7070