When Congress returns in September, the House is expected to reauthorize policy and funding for child food programs including School meals, Afterschool Snack, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC).

These programs have proven successful as well as cost-effective.  They play a critical role in helping children, especially those in low-income families, access quality nutrition while improving their overall health, development, and school achievement.  However, federal support for these programs has not always kept pace with children’s needs, food cost inflation, the costs of delivering services, or increased nutritional knowledge.

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The San Francisco Food Bank opposes the erosion of key social services and will continue to support nutrition programs.  We will work with the California Association of Food Banks, California Food Policy Advocates, and other anti-hunger partners throughout the state to advocate for the following:

• Reduce bureaucratic hurdles to Food Stamps: Consideration of using DMV identity checks to replace finger imaging, and urging the state to take advantage of federal waivers to improve flexibility within the program;
• Supporting implementation of the Healthy Purchase Pilot program, which would offer incentives to Food Stamp participants for fruit and vegetable purchases;
  
• Opposing Governor’s budget cuts to programs that directly affect our clientele, including cuts to SSI and CalWORKS grants
• Improving our education efforts to state officials on hunger and poverty in California with the goal of laying the groundwork for a future state food purchase program.

Locally, we will continue partnering with the Food Security Task Force to:

• Develop solutions for low-income seniors who receive SSI and cannot receive Food Stamps;
• Implement online Food Stamp application and promote the program;
  
• Improve school meals and elevate the importance of student nutrition at City Hall;
  
• Oppose local budget cuts to key social service programs.