Latest news with #FeedingTexas
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tarrant Area Food Bank fights hunger amid historic SNAP cut proposals
The Brief The Tarrant Area Food Bank is partnering with local farmers for a summer market, providing fresh produce to the community. These efforts come as proposed federal cuts could reduce SNAP benefits by an estimated $300 billion through 2034, which would be the largest cut to the program in history. If adopted, the cuts would significantly increase demand on local food banks, which are already seeing high need. FORT WORTH, Texas - The Tarrant Area Food Bank started a summer partnership to provide access to fresh produce. Now more than ever, the food bank is concerned about proposed cuts to federal benefits and the possible impact on North Texans. Local perspective Several local growers are at the farmers' market with freshly grown produce. It's the Tarrant Area Food Bank's way of supporting these small farmers and providing healthy food to the community. It comes at a time when there could be major changes at the federal level as it applies to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP benefits. The food bank earlier today hosted a virtual discussion about the congressional developments playing out. They pointed out that in the house-passed version of the current bill, it would reflect a $300 billion cut to the SNAP program through 2034. What they're saying The CEO of the Tarrant Area Food Bank, Julie Butner, believes the federal cuts to SNAP, if adopted, would make efforts like this farmers market and other food bank programs extremely crucial in meeting the needs of consumers and snap program recipients. "The federal reductions in SNAP benefits that have been proposed, and today are with the Senate, are quite concerning, because when these neighbors lose the SNAP benefit. If it is cut, then naturally they will be turning to the local food bank, the Tarrant Area Food Bank and our 500 partner agencies to fill the gap," said Butner. Feeding Texas is a statewide network of food banks leading a unified effort to end hunger in Texas. Feeding Texas' Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Jami Olson, states this would be the largest cut to SNAP in history. "It represents a 30 percent cut to our nation's most important and effective anti-hunger program. If this bill is enacted it would represent the largest cut to SNAP in our nation's history," said Olson. What's next As of early June 2025, the federal cuts are still proposed cuts moving through the legislative process. The Source Information in this article was provided by the Tarrant Area Food Bank and Feeding Texas representatives.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
House budget proposal cuts SNAP, Medicaid in major rollback
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — The House has passed a budget proposal within the 'Big Beautiful Bill' that would cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. This results in the largest rollback of food assistance in our nation's history, according to 'Feeding Texas'. Nacogdoches holds second annual Duck Derby fundraiser for county donations 'This represents a 30 percent cut to our nation's most important and effective anti-hunger program,' Vice President of Feeding Texas Jamie Olsen said. SNAP currently feeds 3 million Texans and cutting funding for this program would result in $300 billion lost in aid. 'Texas would be required to pay 1.8 billion dollars a year starting in 2028,' Olsen said. The estimated total of Texans at risk of losing all SNAP benefits is 392,000 and 806,000 are at risk of losing partial benefits. Additionally, the bill could leave one million Texans without health insurance, specifically putting elderly and pregnant women in rural areas at risk. 'We're urging Congress to ensure no one is forced to choose between food and other basic needs,' the East Texas Food Bank said. The Senate is projected to vote on the budget as early as June 16. Both chambers must conference and re-vote on a final bill before the August debt limit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
14-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Texas food banks say SNAP cuts would worsen hunger
Over 22% of Bexar County children live in food-insecure households, per new estimates first shared with Axios from Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks. Why it matters: Texas food banks are warning potential cuts or changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could exacerbate the hunger crisis across the state. At the same time, tariffs on imported foods could affect millions of Americans. How it works: Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap report is an annual effort to make local estimates about food insecurity among different groups, in part by using government data. The childhood food insecurity rate represents the share of children who live in food-insecure households, which lack or have uncertain access to adequate food. See more about the methodology here. By the numbers: The overall food insecurity rate in Bexar County is nearly 19%, and Black (31%) and Hispanic (26%) households are disproportionately affected. Zoom in: Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, said Tuesday that proposed cuts to SNAP would require states to pay 75% of administrative costs, instead of 50%, "which would hobble the program's ability to meet increased need," per a news release. The association estimates the state would spend an extra $87 million per year on administrative costs if Congress approves that cut, adding that there's no guarantee Texas could make up the gap. What they're saying: "The proposed SNAP cuts are of an unprecedented scale that food banks could never compensate for," Theresa Mangapora, Brazos Valley Food Bank executive director and Feeding Texas board chair, said in a statement. "I worry that the only solution for us is just to ration, and that means give families less food," Eric Cooper, CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, told KSAT. Zoom out: An estimated 14 million U.S. children overall live in food-insecure homes. That's about one out of every five kids. The rate tends to be higher in relatively poor, rural counties — but there are urban areas with high rates as well, like New York's Bronx County (33%). Hancock County, Georgia (47%), Perry County, Alabama (47%), and Holmes County, Mississippi (46%), had the highest estimated childhood food insecurity rates as of 2023, per Feeding America. The big picture: Childhood food insecurity is one piece of a broader hunger problem exacerbated by rising food costs. The total amount of money people in food-insecure U.S. households need to buy enough food rose from $28.5 billion in 2022 to $32.2 billion in 2023, up 8.4% when adjusted for inflation. What's next: As the school year nears its end, the perennial threat of "summer hunger" will be an issue for students who rely on school meals to get enough to eat.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Some Texas families impacted by SNAP cuts; food banks brace for direct hit
LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Chari Seeley happily looks at a list of items. She points to the cabbage and cheese. A few seconds later she shouts, 'whipping cream!' It's not something she would usually get but she explained it's for a special occasion. 'It's my birthday,' she sang, laughing. 'Yay!!' The breast cancer survivor said she relies on Hill Country Community Ministries food pantry for a few staples after her Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits were cut earlier this year. 'They took off $30 on my SNAP,' she explained. 'It's wrong! It's dead wrong! If you're going to cut stuff, look at who you're cutting.' Congress is considering cutting additional funds, which could mean at least $230 billion from agriculture programs over the next decade. According to Texas Health and Human Services data, nearly 3.6 million people rely on SNAP benefits across the state. Food pantries, like Hill Country Community Ministries, have seen a surge in families in need. 'We are seeing already about an 11% to 12% increase year to date. Last year, we served 140,000 people. So, you figure about 10% increase or so. We're going to probably serve 150,000 people this next year, which is insane. I mean, out of this tiny food pantry,' explained Tiesa Hollaway, executive director for Hill Country Community Ministries. Hollaway said they get 150 visits a day to the tiny, 900-square-foot pantry. She added they're trying to expand, due to the growing need and are working to raise $1.5 million for a new facility and resource center. 'We've been trying to do this for a while,' she said. 'Trying to create a one-stop shop.' Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, shared concerns and has been talking to elected officials in Washington about the importance of SNAP to families and farmers. 'For every meal our food banks are able to put on the table, SNAP puts nine meals. So any cut, even a small cut, can really affect — can lead to people losing benefits, and then that leads to more strain on our resources,' said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. Cole added the proposed SNAP cuts would also weaken the state's economy and impact jobs. 'Retailers, farmers, workers, and communities across our state all participate in a highly interconnected economic ecosystem and would feel the impact of SNAP cuts. If current proposals move forward, hungry families will suffer, food businesses will suffer and our overall economy will be weaker,' Cole said. Feeding Texas explained that resources are already stretched after the U.S. Department of Agriculture halted millions of dollars worth of deliveries to food banks. The anti-hunger organization shared data from the Texas Department of Agriculture that showed 396 deliveries — including meat, eggs, dairy and canned vegetables — were canceled statewide in March. They estimate these deliveries were equal to around 269 truckloads of food and valued at about $19.2 million. Feeding Texas said that makes it hard for the food banks in its network, including the Central Texas Food Bank, to meet the current demand, especially with higher food prices. 'It's some of the most nutritious food that we can distribute,' Cole explained adding that it makes up about a quarter to a third of a food bank's inventory. The Central Texas Food Bank tells KXAN investigators it will lose $5.5 million in funding for the upcoming fiscal year after 40 deliveries of food valued at $1.7 million were canceled. 'If nothing replaces these costs, at the end of the day, it will result in less food for families. We are going to do everything we can to ensure families do not go without, but we need everyone's support. Federal nutrition programs are the first line of defense. Food banks are meant to be a supplement for households, not the sole provider of food,' said Sari Vatske, president and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said this is not a 'final decision — it's a reassessment.' He added that there may be a revised version of the policy down the road and that the USDA's budget cuts are intended to eliminate fraud, abuse and waste, and the state does not depend on this funding to maintain a strong program. His office shared that the funding impacted includes The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and for Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS). 'We've been at the forefront for years, developing sustainable initiatives. Texas will continue to effectively operate successful Farm to School and Farm to Food Bank programs,' he said. His office also pointed out that while the transition occurs at the federal level, the state-funded Texas Surplus Agricultural Grant Program has allowed producers and growers to distribute a surplus of vegetables, fruits and other agricultural products to food banks. Some Texans like Seeley, whose funding has been impacted, said they wonder why the focus isn't on making sure benefits are going to Texans who qualify. The Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General investigates allegations of fraud, waste and abuse by health and human services program clients. The OIG said in fiscal year 2024, the agency's Beneficiary Program Integrity unit completed 16,331 investigations involving SNAP benefits and recovered $52,939,366 in SNAP overpayments on behalf of the Texans who rely on SNAP benefits. 'Concerns about a client's household composition or unreported income comprise more than three-quarters of completed beneficiary investigations. Household composition cases usually involve an unreported household member with reportable income or a reported household member who does not live in the same residence,' explained Jeremy Fuchs, Press and Communications Officer, with Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Investigations also look into allegations of out-of-state residency, which is prohibited by SNAP rules. Fuchs said in fiscal year 2024, the OIG conducted 1,580 investigations where out-of-state shopping — recipients using their benefits exclusively outside of Texas for more than two consecutive months — or out-of-state residency were alleged. 'One thousand seventy-five of those were substantiated for a total of $3,955,258 in benefits that should not have been paid to SNAP recipients, and which can potentially be recovered by the State of Texas,' he said. The OIG also conducts investigations into SNAP used by undocumented immigrants who are not eligible for the benefits. Fuchs said last year, out of 105 investigations alleging benefit use by non-U.S. citizens — allegations were substantiated in 49 of those cases, with total overpayments of $208,683. Anyone can file complaints by vising and clicking on the report fraud button, or by calling the OIG Fraud Hotline at 1-800-436-6184. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
13-02-2025
- Business
- Axios
San Antonio Food Bank pushing for summer food benefits
The San Antonio Food Bank is joining its Texas counterparts in asking state lawmakers to approve a budget with federal benefits to ensure low-income students still have access to food over summer break. Why it matters: 1 in 6 Texas households is food insecure, and an estimated 3.75 million Texas students are eligible for a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that would give them money to buy food during the summer, according to Feeding Texas. The eligible students would typically get free lunches during the school year. The big picture: Texas was among 13 states that did not accept the federal money last year, the program's first year. A Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) spokesperson told the Texas Tribune last year that there wasn't enough time to set up the program. State officials already missed a Jan. 1 deadline but still have a chance to opt in by March 1 to take part this summer. Driving the news: Feeding Texas and the San Antonio Food Bank are lobbying state lawmakers to direct the HHSC to accept the federal money. Feeding Texas has posted a letter online that Texans can send to their state representative or senator. Zoom in: About 234,000 Bexar County children are eligible to receive the money, equaling more than $43 million in federal funds funneled back to the region. Threat level: The stress of securing summer meals adds to a "perfect storm" of expenses for families already struggling with childcare costs, heat-induced high utility bills and affordable housing, San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper tells Axios. The program would ease strain on the food bank and help prevent supply rationing during the summer, its busiest season, Cooper says. How it works: Texas could receive $450 million in federal funding for the summer program, which would give $120 EBT cards to spend at grocery stores for every qualifying student. It would cost about $110 million to implement the program in Texas, of which the state would have to pay half. The benefits work like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. What they're saying: Cooper says it's painful to know a federal resource was available last year that could've helped but wasn't tapped into. "It's just a tragedy when there was a resource that could've been realized," he says. "There's nothing better than feeding a child and I hope that the Texas Legislature agrees."
