Nutrition Assistance Programs
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SNAP is the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, a federally funded assistance program, which is overseen by the USDA but run by the individual states. In 2011 this program served more than 45 million people, or 1 in 7 Americans.
SNAP was previously known as "Food Stamps," but SNAP benefits are now received via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Paper food stamps are no longer used. Each month, benefits are wirelessly transferred to the recipient's account. Cash benefit programs, such as the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children program, can also be used with the same card for ATM withdrawal. SNAP benefits are not cash benefits.
SNAP benefits can only be used at authorized retailers, including supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores and farmer's markets. The program allows recipients to purchase food items, or plants and seeds that will produce food. However, alcohol, tobacco, pet food, and hot prepared food are not eligible for SNAP benefits.
Learn more about trends in SNAP participation. http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/united-states-of-hunger/?emc=eta1.
There is some controversy about allowable purchases, since snack foods such as chips, crackers and cookies, and high sugar beverages such as soda and juice are covered by SNAP benefits. The rationale is that it would be too administratively expensive to restrict SNAP benefits to healthful foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. You can read more about this controversy here, and you can also read the rebuttal from USDA.
Eligibility is based on household size, assets, income and certain living expenses such as rent, child care, and heating/cooling. There is an eligibility calculator available on-line. If someone is eligible, it will automatically take them to an application form. There are also easier to use, paper applications available for seniors. To explore the MA SNAP web site, go to: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/basic-needs/food/snap/
Monica is a 30 year old single mother of two children Manuel and Darby, ages 9 and 12 respectively. All three are US citizens. She is currently living in East Boston with her kids, paying $1200 in rent for a 1 bedroom apartment. She also must pay heating, cooling and electricity, which can run up to $200 a month. Monica works at a local sub shop, earning $500 per week. She is not receiving child support from the father of her children. Using the SNAP eligibility tool, is Monica eligible to receive SNAP benefits? If so, how much?
Wonder what it really costs to eat a healthy diet in Boston? Read more here from Children's Health Watch. [See this link on "The Real Cost of a Healthy Diet in Boston".]
WIC is a Federal grant program, not an entitlement program, and it is widely regarded as one of the most successful social programs. Each year, Congress authorizes a specific amount of funding for the program. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service administers the program and allocates funding to the state WIC agencies to pay for WIC foods, nutrition education and administrative costs.
This program provides supplemental food, health care referrals and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding post-partum women as well as infants and children up to age five who are determined to be at nutritional risk. From 1996-2011 the allocated for WIC was sufficient to provide for all eligible applicants. In 2009, 15 million women and children were eligible to participate in the WIC program.
WIC benefits include:
WIC has a rich history ofencouraging participating mothers to breastfeed their infants in order to improve the nutritional status of the child. View one of WIC's many breastfeeding campaigns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyxh8RnuK3U
To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants' gross income (i.e. before taxes are withheld) must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. The guidelines for WIC are shown below.
Detailed information about applying to WIC can be found here.
WIC offices are located throughout the Massachusetts. Potential applicants can call 1-800-WIC-1007 to set up an appointment. Applicants should bring the following to the appointment:
The School Lunch program is a federally-funded meal assistance program that provides nutritionally balanced meals at reduced or zero cost to students in public and non-profit schools as well as residential child care institutions. In 2010, this program provided meals to over 31 million children each school day.
Schools that choose to take part in the School Lunch Program receive cash subsidies and USDA foods from the USDA for each meal that is served. In exchange, the school must serve lunches that meet Federal Requirements, and must offer free or reduced price lunches to eligible children.
School Lunches must meet the nutrition recommendations set out by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Meals should contain no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories from fat, with less than 10 percent coming from saturated fat. Meals must also supply one third of the Recommended Daily Allowances for calories, protein, iron, calcium, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Schools may use their discretion regarding specific foods and methods of preparation.
Any child who attends a participating school may purchase a meal through the School Lunch Program. Children of families at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals, and those between 130-185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced cost meals, where students can be charged no more than 40 cents per meal. Children with families above 185 percent pay full price for meals, but schools must operate their meal program as a non-profit program.
Schools send home meal applications at the beginning of each school year, however, children can sign up for the program at any time throughout the year. The school must supply an application upon request. If a family is receiving SNAP benefits, the child will automatically qualify for free school lunches.
Read more about the government effort to improve the nutritional content of school meals and reduce childhood obesity: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/us/politics/new-school-lunch-rules-aimed-at-reducing-obesity.html .
First Lady Michelle Obama worked with the USDA to challenge software developers to create games that motivate kids to eat better and be more physicall active. Play one of the Apps for Health Kids! http://appsforhealthykids.com/ .
Food pantries are located in the community, typically in churches, community centers, and senior centers, and they provide free food to those who have a verified need (e.g., on Medicaid or supported by the Department of Transitional Assistance [DTA]). There are usually restrictions on the frequency of use by a family. Most of the food is provided by a food bank, and there are guidelines regarding nutritional quality; most do not accept "junk" food
Find a Food Pantry: http://www.foodpantries.org/
Families can visit the BMC food pantry twice per month and receive 3-4 days worth of food for their household each time. The BMC food pantry also provides perishable goods, such as fruits, vegetables and meats all year round. These are costly items, and often lacking in a low-income family's diet. In 2011, the Preventive Food Pantry served over 6,700 patients and their families each month.
This is also a therapeutic food pantry. If needed, food is provided that is appropriate for someone on a special diet. For example, patients with diabetes will be provided a carbohydrate controlled diet. A prescription from a physician is needed for a patient to receive food from the pantry. The Pantry Manager is a Registered Dietetic Technician, and is qualified to determine what foods are appropriate for specific therapeutic diets.
The BMC food pantry also has a Demonstration Kitchen, run by a Chef/Registered Dietitian. The Demonstration Kitchen educates patients on ways to prepare foods that will complement the therapeutic diet as prescribed by their physician.
To learn more visit: http://www.bmc.org/nutritionresourcecenter/foodpantry.htm
This is a local Boston nutrition program that provides produce to patrons for a donation of $2. The produce is supplied from surplus stocks from wholesale vendors, such as farms, trucking companies, and the New England Produce Center. Selection varies from day to day, and the truck changes location in the city throughout the day.
There are no eligibility or application requirements. Learn more about Fair Foods Inc. and its Two Dollars A Bag initiative. http://www.fairfoods.org/index.php?page=dollar_bag.htm .
The mission of the Child Nutrition Outreach Program (CNOP) is to increase participation in the National School Breakfast Program and the Summer Food Service Program. CNOP is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and administered by Project Bread. The program focuses primarily on assisting targeted low-income communities with a high percentage of children eligible for free and reduced price school meals, but assistance is available to all school districts in Massachusetts.
The Summer Food Service Program gives meals to children 18 years old and younger in eligible Massachusetts communities. This program helps children in low-income families to have a healthy summer and start the school year ready to learn.
For more information on the Summer Food Service Program, call 1-800-645-8333 or visit www.meals4kids.org. To find a meal site near you, visit www.meals4kids.org/find-summer-meal-site.