Food Stamps nourish body, mind and spirit
I got a note from Edie Jessup at Fresno Metro Ministry recently reminding me that the Food Stamps program is marking its 30th anniversary this month. There was a birthday party to celebrate this occasion Wednesday at a Community Hunger and Nutrition Forum in Trinity Lutheran Church.
I know a lot of people feel conflicted about encouraging people to apply for food stamps. I am not uncertain about this at all. Few things are as important to a family as good nutrition. There is money for it set aside in the national and state budgets - and our children deserve it. A poor diet or a healthy diet affects everything -- our mood, intelligence, decisions, temperament, energy level, ability to concentrate, our strength -- the basic composition of our brain, even our spirit. There are enough challenges in the world; we need to make sure even the poorest of children -- and their moms and dads -- at least are getting healthful food. There are a lot of things that are a struggle for us to provide in the Valley -- cutting edge technology, top-notch education, mental health services, public transportation, exposure to lots of museums and sophisticated art galleries, beach, etc. But great food -- that we've got everywhere you look. We could so easily excel in nutrition and food programs. But we don't.
Fresno Metro Ministry and the Central California Obesity Prevention Project Get Fit Fresno County are working on that by hosting this community forum to talk about food access and nutrition needs in Fresno.
Here's more from Edie:
The Food Stamp Program has been declared one of the most effective programs in the country by the National Journal. The Forum will celebrate the Food Stamp Nutrition Program's Birthday by encouraging the restoration of benefit levels and help low income families afford the healthy food they need. The Fresno County Employment and Temporary Assistance Department, that administers the Food Stamp Program will be recognized for their efforts to increase eligible enrollment in this health program and assure Fresno County residents are able to access healthy food for their families. Jessica Barthalow from the California Association of Food Banks Food Stamp Outreach Program will present a brief overview of the Food Stamp Program and provide the 'party' in Fresno at the Forum.
There will be an important panel presentation on how early childcare nutrition and physical activity impacts childhood obesity and chronic disease. The panel discussion will cover the current status of food and activity in Fresno Childcare venues, why we need to focus on improving childcare environments to prevent obesity and chronic disease, and the needs of pre-schools and ways to improve a healthy start for kids. A community task group is preparing a report and recommendations and resources for the early childcare environment improvements in Southeast Fresno. This forum will set the stage for that report to be released at the end of September.
This knowledgeable Fresno panel will present what health consequences they currently see in preschoolers in Fresno County, the urgency of addressing the obesity and chronic disease at the preschool level as more children are in preschool, and the needs of early childcare providers in addressing both food and activity as foundational to children's health.
Early Childcare Nutrition and Activity Environment Panel participants are:
* Alita Taylor, Fresno County EOC Head Start Nutritionist;
* Lily Phanthachack, Physical Activity Specialist, Regional Network for a Healthy California; Mary Scaff, First Five Fresno Co. Early Childcare Education and Training; and First Five Freeze Response to migrant families;
* Debi Hansen, Central Valley Children's Services Network Food Services Director;
* Luis Santana, Executive Director, Covenant Foundation and Chairperson for the Fresno Co. Child Care Local Planning Council;
* Dr. Lawrence Wetterau, Pediatric Endocrinologist, Children's Hospital Central Ca.
This forum is organized by the Early Childcare Task Group, Get Fit Fresno County, Central Ca. Regional Obesity Prevention Project and Fresno Metro Ministry's Hunger and Nutrition Project.
Edie usually does very good notes from such meetings. I will pass them on when I get them or just contact Fresno Metro Ministry at www.fresnometroministry.org.
Comments
What exactly are the criteria to be eligible and what can the person purchase with the card they are given. I am confused when I see an obese person at Longs have all this junk food on the counter and then pull out their food stamp card to pay for it.The same with the Food Banks. We are asked to give but even the people asking for donations can't explain the screening process.Hungry people need food.No one in our country should go hungry.Can we feed people without being exploited? Doesn't seem to be the case.
Posted by: Brian Murray | September 13, 2007 6:57 PM
Food stamps are good but there are many people who take advantage of it. The problem with Food stamps is the amount to give to families. You dont really know how much a family will need. Some get way to much and spend it stupidly on junk. I think they should look into how much waiste some of these people produce (not poop, but expiration and just plane throwing stuff away).
Posted by: john | September 14, 2007 12:07 PM
I dont know what the criteria's are but there needs to be more checks and balances. My family used to be on food stamps and it helped a lot so I appreciate the service but there are to many people who waste what they get. We should better regulate these people.
Posted by: jim | September 14, 2007 12:09 PM
I think we need to accept the fact that there will always be a certain number of people who abuse any sort of public assistance (or private assistance, for that matter). It seems to be in the nature of the species.
We can tweak the rules and try to control abuses. But the problem is that the abusers will usually find a way to get around the new rules, and the restrictions will usually end up hurting the people who need help the most, but are too honest or timid to "work" the system.
Posted by: Mike D. | September 14, 2007 1:45 PM
I talked at great length with a u.s.d.a. representative about the program many years ago, I was told that the program had been usurped by the sugar lobby,(today, that means high fructose corn syrup.) you can't buy vitamin supplements w/ "food" stamps,but unlimited soda? no problem. the obesity problem in our country is a direct result of the transition, (largely unknown,) from sugar,to the corn syrup substitute...follow the money!
Posted by: john swift | September 15, 2007 10:37 AM
Overpayments in the food stamp program are less than most federal programs - less than 2%. If only we could say the same of the tax system.
If people had the money - or if food stamp program had kept it's value - low-income families could afford to select healthier options. Instead, they are stuck purchasing high calorie - filling - foods that one can purchase inexpensively. Add this to higher levels of stress, lack of sleep, unsafe neighborhoods to walk in and overweight is no longer a result of personal choice - but an unavoidable circumstance of living in poverty for some people.
Need an answer - trouble is there won't be just one. But one thing we know will help reduce hunger AND obesity - more money for the purchase of higher cost healthy foods. Congress can decide to do just that with the Farm Bill - I hope that they do.
Posted by: Jessica | September 18, 2007 11:55 PM
“A poor diet or a healthy diet affects everything -- our mood, intelligence, decisions, temperament, energy level, ability to concentrate, our strength -- the basic composition of our brain, even our spirit” – My children’s are the sufferers of the negative effects mentioned. I will definitely join in this forum and would also spread to my friends. As a discussion on my children ability I have bought a food nutrition guide. This has really good impact on my children’s and my health too. This is a content rich of Fiber, antioxidant, minerals, proteins and several other herbal products.
Posted by: Sunny | September 24, 2007 2:26 AM