MAZON in the News

This press release was originally shared by Feeding New York State on July 24, 2024.

New polling from the Siena College Research Institute, in partnership with Feeding New York State, identifies strong support for a package of legislative and Farm Bill proposals active in Congress. The survey included a nationally representative sample of 1,000 United States residents aged 18 and older, with a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points.

The current Farm Bill – an omnibus package that governs a series of food, agricultural, and environmental programs – is set to expire on September 30, 2024. That date also marks the end of Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations, meaning that Congress must pass a new funding bill to avoid a government shutdown. Congress is currently negotiating the funding levels and policy provisions for both packages.

The new polling released by Siena indicates Americans across all demographics are united in support of the following proposals:

• 82% support making the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) a permanent program in the next Farm Bill;
• 80% support increasing benefit levels for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
• 77% support the Universal School Meals Program Act;
• 72% agree that “cutting funding to social programs for things like nutrition, housing, or healthcare is not the way to decrease the budget deficit”;
• 71% support full inclusion for Puerto Rico in SNAP; &
• 70% support lifting the prohibition on using SNAP benefits to purchase hot and prepared meals at EBT-authorized vendors.
• 65% support expanding SNAP access for college students
• 53% support lifting the 5-year waiting period for lawfully present immigrants

In addition to the above, huge majorities of Americans identified healthcare costs (94%), housing affordability (93%), the lack of living wages (90%), and the cost of healthy food (88%) as a serious or very serious problem. On the issue of hunger and food insecurity, a staggering 86% identified the issue as a serious problem facing the American people.

“Ordinary Americans recognize that the real problems facing families should be addressed with sensible public investments in the Farm Bill. We have it in our power to improve the lives of families, farmers, and all Americans, and we must seize this opportunity to do so. When it comes to helping our neighbors, Americans are not polarized – they are united.“ said Dan Egan, Executive Director of Feeding New York State, which commissioned the Siena survey.

“This survey tells us how strongly committed Americans are to fighting hunger and food insecurity irrespective of age, race, geography, or political party. Across the country, there is overwhelming support for Puerto Rico’s participation in SNAP, proving that Congress should act on Puerto Rico’s SNAP transition during the current Farm Bill debate. The time has come to finally afford American citizens in the territory with the same nutrition benefits that are already available in all 50 states, D.C., and two territories: Guam and USVI,” stated Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, Director, Coalition for Food Security Puerto Rico.

“This survey confirms that our priorities are aligned with that Americans across the Nation believe: that ending hunger and food insecurity must be a priority, and this includes every US jurisdiction. Puerto Rico’s transition to SNAP is a necessary step in our effort to end hunger in the Island. As Puerto Rico’s main anti-hunger organization, the fact that there is such overwhelming support for this transition only strengthens our commitment to this goal.” Mari Jo Laborde, Executive Director, Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico.

“The latest polling results from the Siena College Research Institute and Feeding New York State highlight a clear consensus: there is absolutely no excuse for hunger when solutions exist,” said Salaam Bhatti, SNAP Director for the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). “Tens of millions of households rely on SNAP as the first line of defense against hunger, but the average benefit is only $6.20 per person per day when each meal costs $3.99. It is clear that SNAP needs a raise. Congress must listen to the people and do everything in its power to strengthen SNAP benefit adequacy and improve equitable access in the upcoming Farm Bill. Hungry people can’t wait.”

“This poll demonstrates the reality that the vast majority of Americans and New Yorkers – including Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike – believe that domestic hunger is unacceptable and that we need public policies to ensure living wages and a strong federal food safety net,” said Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in New York City. “I commend Feeding New York State for obtaining this vital data.”

“This survey shows widespread, undeniable support for increasing benefit levels for SNAP, protecting critical safety net programs, and improving equity in the way that we address hunger in this country,” said Liza Lieberman, Vice President of Public Affairs at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. “We are particularly heartened to see broad consensus around transitioning the people of Puerto Rico from NAP to SNAP. Puerto Ricans are American citizens who contribute to the economic, cultural, and social fabric of our country, and they are uniquely vulnerable to food insecurity. Yet, under the inadequate Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) block grant, Puerto Ricans receive less federal nutrition support than their fellow U.S. citizens living in the states. We have a crucial window of opportunity to right this wrong in the forthcoming Farm Bill, which must authorize the full transition for Puerto Rico from the NAP to SNAP.”

“This survey makes clear that the majority of Americans care deeply about alleviating hunger and believe programs like SNAP and universal school meals make a difference. This is a pivotal moment for these programs as Congress continues work on the farm bill and fiscal year 2025 appropriations. Lawmakers should follow their constituents and ensure that American families have access to the food and nutrition they need to thrive – including access to SNAP for the U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico. As Proverbs 22:9 says, ‘The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor,’” said Marco Grimaldo, Strategist for National Church Partners and Latino Communities, Bread for the World.

“The importance Americans place on programs that support food security and farmers cannot be overlooked. The results of this survey confirm our understanding that the issues Coloradans are facing are not unique and programs that address these struggles must be prioritized. Congress has a timely opportunity to strengthen these vital programs in the Farm Bill and act upon public will.” Mandy Nuku, Director of Government Relations for Feeding Colorado.

“Clearly, these compelling findings underscore that Americans know how vital a strong farm bill and federal appropriations package are for farmers and families, not just here in the Midwest but throughout the country and the globe. They also recognize the serious risks we face if Congress does not invest in proven policies that promote food security and reduce hunger. Local farmers we partner with on Ohio’s LFPA program, the Ohio households that turn to SNAP and other nutrition programs for help with food, and the food banks that are striving to continue to provide hunger relief to record numbers of neighbors in need share in the priorities reflected in these results. We look forward to working with Congress and our colleagues at Feeding New York State and throughout the country to advance these priorities with urgency, on behalf of the scores of Americans who support them.” Joree Novotny, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.

“These findings serve as a stark reminder that our country is in the midst of a hunger crisis,” said Andrés Vives, Executive Director of Hunger Solutions New York. “With more than 85 percent of Americans telling us that the cost of healthy food and food insecurity are serious problems, it is essential for our elected officials to take action. We urge Congress to protect and strengthen SNAP, provide universal access to no-cost school meals, and invest in other vital anti-hunger programs like WIC and Summer EBT to ensure all families can put food on the table.”

“This is a call to action from Americans across the nation and political spectrum for the policy change and investments necessary to end hunger and increase opportunity for the local farmers and ranchers who are so vital to ensuring food security in this country. In Texas, one-in-six households experience food insecurity—the second-highest rate in the nation—and suffer its consequences, including chronic disease, poor mental health, social stigma, and economic distress. Seniors, people with disabilities, children, and historically marginalized communities are at the greatest risk. Hunger is a problem we can’t afford to ignore, but we can afford to solve. SNAP, WIC, and the Child Nutrition Programs offer immediate and proven tools to prevent hunger, while greater investments in childcare, affordable housing, and policies that support a living wage provide long-term solutions to lift people out of poverty. We join Feeding New York State and our hunger-fighting allies across the country in calling on Congress to pass a Farm Bill that protects farmers and families.” Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas.

“This survey vividly illustrates the deep commitment Americans have towards addressing hunger and food insecurity nationwide. The overwhelming support for Puerto Rico’s inclusion in SNAP highlights a longstanding inequity that has affected more than 3 million U.S. citizens on the island for decades. We are grateful for Puerto Rico’s inclusion in this study, as it is crucial to make our voices and struggles visible. It is time for Puerto Ricans to be treated justly and be included in SNAP,” stated José Frau, Executive Director of ACOMERPR.

“The findings from this survey place an undeniable spotlight on the needs of every-day Americans and their desire to address food insecurity. We know that these vital food assistance programs lead to families having more access to nutritious and healthy meals. We also know that over the past two years in Arizona, SNAP participation has increased and continues to exponentially rise in our rural counties,” said April Bradham, President and CEO of the Arizona Food Bank Network. “These programs create a safety net so that families don’t have to make the impossible choice of purchasing either groceries or their medication, a reality many people face. We urge Congress to invest in a fully funded Farm Bill in 2024.”