Ian Marvy’s Post

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) plays a critical role in improving student nutrition and combating starvation. By offering free or reduced-price meals, it ensures that millions of low-income students have access to nutritious food during the school day (Gundersen, Kreider, & Pepper, 2012). Studies show that NSLP participants consume more fruits, vegetables, and dairy products than non-participants, indicating improved dietary quality (Fox et al., 2012). Furthermore, this program is pivotal in reducing food insecurity among children, effectively countering starvation and its adverse effects on health and academic performance (Ralston, 2017). This below is is simply another attack at marginalized populations.

A heartbreaking report, but hugely important to be aware of. Unfortunately, the Barnardos Ireland Food Insecurity Report 2024 findings show that food insecurity in families with children is worsening and an increasingly large proportion of children are living in homes in which parents are: * Skipping, cutting back on or going without meals themselves to feed their children. * Cutting down on absolute essentials such as clothing, electricity and heat to make sure there is enough food. * Borrowing, resorting to food banks, relying on voluntary organisations, or friends/family to provide themselves and their children with sufficient food. https://lnkd.in/e2u_773s

This is such an important read. I've used the links in the post to share my support for this funding with Governor Lombardo and the IFC - will you consider doing the same?

Today's announcement from the state of Iowa on Summer EBT in 2025 is not exactly what we hoped for, but I'm glad our leaders at least recognize the food insecurity crisis Iowans are facing. That being said, I'm very skeptical that USDA will grant this waiver. I doubt they even have the authority, based on federal code and regulations for Summer EBT. The state of Iowa isn't proposing some minor tweak to the program, they're proposing something else entirely. And if and when USDA denies the waiver, where does that leave us? It's reminiscent of a bill proposed in 2023 that would have allocated $1 million to Double Up Food Bucks, but only if USDA granted the state a waiver to restrict the purchase of candy and soda for SNAP—something USDA has never done (even under the Trump administration). We will continue to advocate for Iowa to participate in Summer EBT to get additional funds directly in the hands of parents, who should be trusted to make their own food choices that best work for their family. There is strong evidence linking Summer EBT with increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy—all with no increase in sugar sweetened beverages. https://lnkd.in/g-AP8e7Z

Food insecurity impacts 13 million children across the nation. With the cost of food on the rise and kids out of school, more families are relying on local food pantries and programs like SUN Bucks, the newest federal food assistance program. Yet, governors in 12 states—including 4 of the 6 states with the highest rates of food insecurity—have opted out of this crucial summer food benefits program, leaving 9.5 million students without access to this critical aid. Programs designed to alleviate poverty and hunger are commonsense solutions to ensure every child and family has the support they need. Read more in USA TODAY: https://lnkd.in/eJTYfqPK

This is a crucial time to weigh in on the critical importance of this program.

Given increased food insecurity in the state, the 2024 Maryland legislative session presented crucial opportunities to strengthen and expand hunger programs at the state level. Maryland has a particularly short session, with only 90 days from early January to early April. The 500+ bills that passed this year are currently being signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore. The two key priorities for Maryland Hunger Solutions this year were (1) increasing the Maryland SNAP minimum benefit to $95 per month, and (2) implementing universal school meals in Maryland. Learn more in a blog about the key priorities and ways to take action. https://lnkd.in/eSp-J6Fe

Out today - 2/5 Tennessee families with children are food insecure. About a quarter of parents say they have skipped meals due to food costs. This problem in Tennessee is not new. We've measured food security for 5 years through our poll, the last 3 using a standardized USDA measure. Since the pandemic food insecurity in Tennessee has gotten worse, not better ... why? We've paid less attention to it. During the pandemic, we made school meals free for everyone. We made food available at schools during the summer. And during the end of 2021, we also had the child tax credit in place which we know many families used for necessities like food. Those supports are now gone. In previous polling we know that 9/10 parents support universal free meals at school, but the measure died again this year in the state legislature. Bottom line - this is a solvable problem in Tennessee. No child should go hungry in our state. #foodsecurity #children https://lnkd.in/ejdKivYi

from Kayla Jimenez & Alia Wong, USA TODAY Republican-led states are blocking summer food benefits for hungry families. MAGA causes millions of children to go hungry. …The governors of a dozen states – Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming – opted out of the program, leaving about 9.5 million students without the aid this summer, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. All of these states are led by Republicans, who have said they oppose welfare, the administrative burden of overseeing food benefits and what they call overreach by the federal government. All but two of the six states with the highest rates of food insecurity opted out of the benefits. The two exceptions, whose Republican governors accepted EBT, are Arkansas and Louisiana. https://lnkd.in/e6PMkjQS

“Money for food is especially tight for families in Alabama and 11 other states where Republican officials declined to participate in a new federal food assistance program meant to curb the needs of school families this summer. Summer EBT, or electronic benefits transfer, is the first new federal food assistance program in nearly half a century. The SUN Bucks program grants $120 per eligible child to be used during the summer months, leveraging existing programs including pandemic-era funding. Kids are eligible if they qualify for free or reduced meals during the school year. Families can use the money in addition to other government food benefits. The governors of a dozen states – Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming – opted out of the program, leaving about 9.5 million students without the aid this summer, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. All of these states are led by Republicans, who have said they oppose welfare, the administrative burden of overseeing food benefits and what they call overreach by the federal government. All but two of the six states with the highest rates of food insecurity opted out of the benefits. The two exceptions, whose Republican governors accepted EBT, are Arkansas and Louisiana.” This is how Republicans rule - with no concern for those less fortunate or those who may have fallen on hard times. This is cruel and absolutely inexcusable. #VoteAllGOPout!