Last week, Congress finally passed a new Farm Bill after three years of negotiations.
The final piece of legislation outlines an $8 billion reduction in benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as food stamps). The cuts will be made over a 10-year period.
This translates to a cut of up to $90 a month in benefits for families in need.
This additional reduction comes on the heels of the November 1, 2013 cuts that were made to SNAP. These cuts occurred when so many families across Illinois and Missouri were already struggling to put food on the table.
If you or someone you know will be or has been affected by the food stamp cuts, here are some helpful resources from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hopefully these tips and tools can help families in need stretch their limited food budget even further.
• Eating on a Budget – The Three P’s
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/sites/default/files/printablematerials/PlanPurchasePrepare.pdf
• Smart Shopping for Veggies and Fruits
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ten-tips-smart-shopping
• 30 Ways in 30 Days to Stretch Your Fruit & Vegetable Budget
https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/downloads/stretch_FV_budget.pdf
• How to Eat Right When Money’s Tight
https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/snap//EatRightWhenMoney’sTight.pdf
• Eating Better on a Budget
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ten-tips-eating-better-on-a-budget
• SNAP Retail Locator
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailerlocator
Additional assistance can also be found by calling United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline or visiting a St. Louis Area Foodbank partner agency in your area.
By Andrea Hale
IL SNAP/CSFP at the St. Louis Area Foodbank
