April 2023 MFFIC Meeting Recap

The Military Family Food Insecurity Coalition held its first meeting of the year on April 19, 2023. Here are the takeaways:

FARM BILL & INCREASING SNAP ACCESS

Staff from the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) walked the group through 2023 Farm Bill priorities and Community Eligibility Provision updates as it relates to the military-connected community.

Protect & Strengthen SNAP – The goal this legislative session is to protect and strengthen SNAP benefit adequacy, equitable access, and client dignity during 2023 Farm Bill cycle.

Farm Bill Process & Time Frame – There will be hearings and listening sessions leading up to the deadline of September 30, 2023.

Hunger Cliff & Farm Bill Issue

• SNAP Benefit Adequacy:
  1. Emergency allotments ended after February 2023
  2. Now, SNAP benefits average a mere $6 per person per day
  3. Federal SNAP minimum monthly benefit is only $23 per month
• SNAP Equitable Access:
  1. SNAP time limits return after June 2023
  2. Regular SNAP college student rules after June 11, 2023
  3. Other permanent gaps in equitable access persist

Public Support for SNAP – Voter poll in March 2023: 66% favorable view of SNAP, 67% support increased funding for it, 55% consider pre-pandemic SNAP average monthly allotment level too low, 65% support extending SNAP eligibility to low-income college students.

Survey – stakeholder feedback

MFAN researchers shared initial survey design plans for the 2023 Military Family Support Programming Survey and asked participants what food and nutrition security topics and questions they’d like to see incorporated.

• 2021 Military Family Support Programming Survey
• Food Insecurity Research One-Pager

BACKGROUND

Created in 2018, the Military Family Food Insecurity Coalition (MFFIC) shares research and resources, raises awareness, and develops solutions that alleviate hunger, lessen stigma, and remove barriers to assistance. The coalition is comprised of military-connected nonprofits, advocacy and education organizations, policymakers, subject matter experts, industry leaders, food banks, and more.

To learn more, recommend a discussion topic, or submit a presentation request, contact Derek Doyle at doyle@mfan.org.