Public health experts say farm bill is a “mixed bag” for nutritional assistance program
Kids, seniors will be affected by $9 billion cut
The final version of the farm bill awaiting action in Congress includes policy improvements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but it also cuts $8.6 billion over 10 years from the program, according to the American Public Health Association (APHA). Under the measure, which has been debated by Congress for more than two years, SNAP and SNAP nutrition education provide millions of seniors, children and families with food assistance and nutrition education to improve access to healthy food and food security.
“This farm bill is a mixed bag,” said Georges Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association (APHA). “I welcome the bill’s improvements including full funding of SNAP-Ed, which helps families otherwise at risk for the many chronic health concerns that result from poor nutrition to stretch their food dollars and make healthy choices. I am also pleased about the rejection of the deeper cuts and harmful policy changes to SNAP that were included in the House-passed bill. But we are disappointed by the nearly $9 billion in cuts to SNAP benefits outlined in the measure that mean that many Americans in need will see their benefits reduced.”