DHS Science and Technology Directorate’s Post

We’re hoping candidates for Rhode Island’s open congressional seat understand the gravity of Rhode Island’s food system… Accounting for $12B (including a critical $600M in our seafood and fisheries sector) in economic impact and nearly 64,000 jobs, little Rhody’s food system is actually substantial. Sadly, however, a third of us are food insecure and our landfill is taking on 100K tons - yes TONS - of unnecessarily wasted food every year. Let’s talk about it! We invite all CD1 candidates to share your answers to our short questionnaire (link in bio). We’ll post your responses next week here, our other social media spaces, and our website so your constituents can take them into consideration during the primaries. As a reminder, we are an independent nonprofit network of food systems stakeholders on a mission to build a more just and resilient food system for Rhode Island. Looking forward to your responses! https://lnkd.in/gZjRBB_A p.s. Hey, constituents! What questions did we miss?

Investing locally

In Missouri 1 in 9 people, and 1 in 8 children, face hunger. September is Hunger Action Month, and we hope you’ll join us to spread awareness and take action to fight hunger! Our Food Security Coalition is a multi-sector team of dedicated advocates who work to ensure that every Missourian, especially children, can access sufficient nutritious food. Together, we’ve identified priority policies that can help address hunger in Missouri that we’ll be focusing on this session: -Reducing or eliminating the sales tax on groceries. -Increasing the use of the federal WIC program in Missouri. -Passing a federal Farm Bill with language that will protect and enhance safety net programs. -Expanding access to free school meals in all Missouri public schools. -Creating tax credits aimed at addressing food deserts, such as for grocery stores, food pantries, or specialty farms. Learn more about the work of the FSC, or get involved, at https://lnkd.in/gJSUHfkr.

Hunger Free Vermont’s Executive Director Anore Horton and Vermont Foodbank’s CEO John Sayles were featured in VTDigger discussing the status of hunger in Vermont and the importance of action. “A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report on food insecurity and hunger reinforces what so many people in Vermont already know and are experiencing firsthand — affording food for ourselves and our families is becoming much harder. In Vermont, when the state or federal government invests in meaningful support, there is a positive impact on food security. And when neighbors are struggling, we must act.” To read more, visit the link below. https://lnkd.in/gMxXpN6A

If you and/or your organization have not signed the letter on the link below, please consider reviewing it and doing so and sharing it with your contacts. The deadline to sign is April 26, 2024. The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program (Summer EBT) would provide over 2 million hungry children in Florida with roughly $259 million in federal food assistance next summer. Although Florida chose not to participate in Summer EBT for 2024, it is not too late for the state to administer Summer EBT next year. But time is running out. The deadline for Florida to tell USDA that it plans to administer 2025 Summer EBT is August 15, 2024. Bread for the World (https://lnkd.in/ejYZxTfx) and Florida Impact (https://lnkd.in/emve4wH3) are leading a request that state leaders meet the federal deadline and ensure Florida participates in 2025 Summer EBT. Add your organization to the letter by completing the form on this webpage: https://lnkd.in/eRw53VQ5 The deadline to sign the letter is April 26.

The partnership between Landisville Produce Cooperative and the Food Bank of South Jersey, with critical investment from the State, is a win for farmers and families. By making it a budget priority to support such initiatives, we see firsthand how we can support farmers, strengthen the local economy, and fight food insecurity. Read more at NJ Pen, written by Matt Skoufalos https://lnkd.in/e-EkGRvy

In Michigan, nearly 12% of people face food insecurity, and many of our community members face barriers to accessing nutritious food. Food insecurity has soared over the past few years, making it more important than ever to create a future where our food system is equitable, sustainable, and equipped to meet southeast Michigan’s needs. At our foundation, we support a number of nonprofit organizations, including Fair Food Network, Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, Forgotten Harvest, Capuchin Soup Kitchen, and Make Food Not Waste, who are working to increase food access, destigmatized food insecurity, and provide education and resources so that people throughout our region can thrive. Read about our community collaboration to strengthen regional food security: https://lnkd.in/gZ-xUHUM

After multiple days of sweltering heat and no power, many Houstonians were left with spoiled food in their refrigerators. Replacing food can be a hefty financial burden. Here are some information on how to apply for SNAP and WIC food relief programs: https://bit.ly/3LjtWnS

In order to meet the needs of our neighbors facing hunger, Feeding Louisiana conducted a survey of 477 people experiencing food insecurity. Some of the findings were expected, while others were surprising. Part of our mission to be a unified voice for Louisiana's hungry involves understanding the barriers they face when trying to access food and food assistance programs. Identifying these barriers is the first step to helping neighbors overcome them. Take a deeper dive into the survey findings here: https://ow.ly/Y0S850SCssZ

#UCOWF has released it's 2024 Farm Bill #SNAP Program Integrity Initiatives; categorized in three topics - Recipient Integrity, Retailer Integrity, and Administrative Initiatives that can bring lasting, positive protections to the program. Today's release relates to Top 10 initiatives to improve program integrity relating to Program Administration (plus a few Honorable Mentions). 1. Restore State Retained Share of Overpayments 2. Modernize Funding and State Oversight Incentives 3. Immediate Restoration and Implementation of Congress’ NAC/ Duplicate Participation Mandate to 2018 Farm Bill 4. State Residency Reported Change Requirements 5. Out of State Transactions (Close after 30 consecutive days) 6. High-Balances (Use it or lose it, reduce carrying balance) 7. Removing Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility Loopholes 8. Modernize Disaster SNAP 9. Electronic Disqualified Recipient System (State Data, can be Verified Upon Receipt) 10. Require Congressional Notice of Waivers and Major Changes (Monthly Reporting) #farmbill #programintegrity #fraudwasteabuse #snapagencies #ebt #AgricultureCommittee #improperpayments #BBCE