1. Developed by: Bonnie Braun, Ph.D. Extension Family Policy Specialist University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Presented by: [insert name] [insert name] Family and Consumer Science Educator 2008 Farm Bill Workshops Food Assistance Policy Economic Stimulus for Agriculture

2. The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 To clarify the link between agriculture and food & nutrition assistance policy

3. Which of these percentages approximates the amount of the USDA annual budget allocated for food assistance: 10% 30% 60% 80% 2008

4. National Food & Nutrition Programs National Food & Nutrition Programs http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/ Food Stamps (SNAP) Women, Infants and Children’s Supplemental Nutrition (WIC) Farmers’ Market (WIC and Seniors) School Meals (Breakfast and Lunch) Summer Food Service Child and Adult Care Food Program Food Distribution Food Assistance for Disaster Relief

5. Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 An act to: Strengthen the agricultural economy; Help to achieve a fuller and more effective use of food abundances; Provide for improved levels of nutrition among low income households through a cooperative program of federal-state food assistance

6. 2008 Farm Bill Changes to Food Stamp Program  Name changed to SNAP-- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  Largest increase in Food Stamp Program in 15 years for a total of $8,694M between 2009-2017  Expands free fruits & vegetables in low-income schools  Indexed to inflation, for the first time in over 40 years, to stop loss of food purchasing power

7. Impact of Selected Farm Bill Nutrition Improvements for 2009 131,000 Marylanders direct beneficiaries [10,703,000 in U.S.] $8M increase to MD; $2M in F&V [$524M in U.S.; $96M in F&V]

8. FOOD STAMP PROGRAM: AVERAGE MONTHLY PARTICIPATION AVERAGE MONTHLY PARTICIPATION(PERSONS)http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/15fsfypart.htm (Data as of July 29, 2008) StateFY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006FY 2007 Maryland US Total 23,857,607 25,717,830 26,672,294 26,468,563 The number of persons participating is reported monthly. Annual averages are the sums divided by twelve. 288,943252,383 273,872 305,395 317,285 21,259,152

9. FOOD STAMP PROGRAM: AVERAGE MONTHLY BENEFIT PER PERSON http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/18fsavgben.htm (Data as of July 29,2007) StateFY2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2007 Maryland US TOTAL $84.83$87.24 $92.33$91.71$93.67 $83.90 $85.99 $92.57 $94.32$95.63 FY 20006

10. Food Stamp Benefits 2002 Legend Less than $500,000 $500,000 -- -$1.3M $1.3M – 2.6M $2.6M— 5.7M > than $5.7M

11. Effects of Food Stamps on Agriculture Supplementation Effect Food stamps total spending on food. of Food Stamp benefits = $5 - $10 billion over 6 years in retail food spending. USDA ERS “The Changing Food Assistance Landscape” l999

12. Estimated spending declines by food category: 1) Beef 2) Grain 3) Pork 4) Dairy 5) Fruit 6) Other Meat 7) Fish/seafood 8) Eggs 9) Vegetables USDA ERS “The Changing Food Assistance Landscape” 1999 Maryland Top Commodities 2006 1)Broilers 2)Greenhouse/nursery 3)Dairy products 4)Corn 5)Soybeans ** Potential growth in local foods, especially fruits and vegetables USDA ERS “State Facts” 7/2/2008 Effects of Food Stamps on Agriculture

13. Low income households spend $1 of $3 for animal protein which provide a larger farmer’s share of retail value due to less processing. USDA ERS “The Changing Food Assistance Landscape” l999

14. $$ Food Assistance & Agriculture $$ In 2007, Maryland had 317,825 individuals enrolled in the FSP. Av. monthly value, $95.63 / person for a $3M monthly flow of federal dollars to the state; $357M yearly flow. Every $5 in federal funds generates $10 in economic activity. The economic activity of the current flow of dollars for Maryland is $714M. About 25% of those eligible are not enrolled in the food stamp program. Using the above formula, how many federal dollars are not flowing to families and agricultural operations yearly ? $_____

15. Implications for Maryland When more eligible families use family, community, and government food assistance, the odds increase that: 1) Child & adult health, school & job performance will improve 2) Agricultural producers, processors & retailers will see increased consumer food purchases

16. Opportunities for Maryland  Encourage participation in federally-funded food and nutrition & nutrition education programs http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/  Conduct a local food security assessment http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/in_focus/hunger_if_competitive.html  Increase access to farmers’markets purchases http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SeniorFMNP/SFMNPmenu.htm  Participate in providing food to school systems http://www.mda.state.md.us/mdfarmtoschool/

17. “The choices we make about diet, activity & tobacco affect not only our own lives, but also affect the economic health of our families, our businesses and even our nation as a whole.” Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary Health and Human Services 9/16/03