Federal assistance for food insecure is effective for economic recovery

St. Paul, MN, January 12, 2009 – In December, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) granted Minnesota a waiver of time limits for food stamps, known as Food Support in Minnesota, effective Jan. 1 for calendar year 2009. Many people who may have exhausted their food stamp benefits may now be eligible again.

Minnesota’s unemployment rate has risen to 6.4% — or nearly 200,000 unemployed Minnesotans. As such, the federal government is allowing Minnesota to temporarily relax some food stamp employment requirements for many unemployed Minnesotans who otherwise might be denied assistance. This change will allow some Minnesotans who have exhausted benefits an opportunity to reapply for help and it will ensure that other Minnesotans on food stamps will not lose their assistance because they cannot find work.

Hunger Solutions Minnesota is calling for Congress to pass an economic recovery package that includes bolstering Food Stamps benefits and other nutrition and low-income support programs. “A significant boost in Food Stamps is a fundamental building block of any fair and effective stimulus package,” said Colleen Moriarty, Executive Director of Hunger Solutions Minnesota “We can further strengthen the economic recovery because food stamps dollars are spent immediately and spent locally.”

9.5% of Minnesotans were food insecure in 2007; 8.1% in 2006 and 7.1% in 2005. Food insecurity means the inability of people to obtain sufficient food for their household. Some people may find themselves skipping meals or cutting back on the quality or quantity of food they purchase at the stores. This recurring and involuntary lack of access to food can lead to malnutrition over time.

More people are strained to the breaking point by the economic crisis. Job layoffs, home foreclosures, higher poverty rates, and medical bills are making more families food insecure. In 2008, food shelves distributed enough food for 36,719,000 meals. Shelters, community dining programs and Meals on Wheels served 7 million emergency or free meals.

Minnesota currently enrolls 69% of eligible participants in food stamps. Full participation would yield an estimated $400 million in federal assistance to meet immediate food needs in the state, and result in local spending that would benefit Minnesota’s local economies.

ABOUT HUNGER SOLUTIONS MINNESOTA:

Hunger Solutions Minnesota (HSM) is a comprehensive hunger relief organization that works to end hunger in Minnesota. We take action to assure food security for all Minnesotans by supporting agencies that provide food to those in need, advancing sound public policy, and guiding grassroots advocacy. In 2009, HSM will educate, investigate and advocate for the maximum use of all public nutrition dollars available and improve low income Minnesotans’ access to all nutrition programs. www.hungersolutions.org

Hunger Solutions Minnesota Contact:

Communications Manager—Jill Hiebert

jhiebert@hungersolutions.org

Office 651.789.9843

Mobile 612.227.7906