As of now, Congress is plowing ahead with a vote on a Farm Bill that slashes food assistance by $23 billion. Often lost in the discussion are the people who are helped by food assistance. Here are some of their stories. 1/7
Let’s start with the basics: Food insecurity is a widespread problem. Almost 1 in 7 Americans have a hard time affording food. Here’s what that looks like by state. 2/7 talkpoverty.org/poverty/?filte…
As it stands, the House Farm Bill will cut nutrition benefits for about 2 million people by making work requirements even harsher. Since most recipients already work, that’s just going to add the type of red tape conservatives say they hate. 3/7 talkpoverty.org/2018/04/20/wor…
Those documentation requirements are rigid. If it’s hard for you to keep up—because you’re sick, or taking care of someone, or (heaven forbid) AT WORK, then it’s game over. 4/7 talkpoverty.org/2018/05/02/sho…
It’ll also make it harder for small family farms to survive—especially in rural areas. Their customers need SNAP, and farmers often need it themselves. 5/7 talkpoverty.org/2018/03/23/foo…
So what we’re left with is more hungry people, like Asia. This is her explanation of what it’s like to try to parent over the sound of her own stomach rumbling. 6/7 talkpoverty.org/2017/01/10/42-…