HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – Increased federal funding announced for key food programs.
The Supplemental Nutrition Insurance Program, or SNAP, and child nutrition programs are said to be getting significant boosts.
A news conference with Senator Richard Blumenthal and attorneys took place at 11 a.m. Monday in Hartford.
Child nutrition programs include school meal programs.
Blumenthal said a growing number of Connecticut families have faced food insecurity in the winter.
He said the federal budget includes $154 billion for SNAP, an increase of $13.4 billion over last year, $28.5 billion for the Child Nutrition Program including historic funding that allows schools to provide healthy meals, and $6 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children -child (WIC).
Connecticut’s SNAP and child nutrition programs are expected to receive a multimillion-dollar boost to support access to affordable and nutritious food.
“Community action agencies have seen a huge increase in people coming to our pantries and people coming through our doors for help with basic needs,” said Lena Rodriguez, President and CEO of Community Renewal Team.
Blumenthal cited Feeding America, which says nearly 400,000 people in Connecticut face hunger, which equates to one in 10 residents. Almost one in eight children is food insecure.
“For every 1 meal a food bank can provide, the SNAP program can provide 10. And it also gives people the dignity to go to the grocery store and pick out their own food,” said Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare.
“This bill, this funding will make a big difference for our overall funding, especially for working families. What happens is they can make less money and still qualify,” said Lonnie Burt, Director of Food Services for Hartford Public Schools.
Advocates say the money will help maintain the quality of school meals and help school districts extend lunch into the summer months for families eligible for SNAP benefits.
“With record inflation and rising costs, this is critical, that we need to fund free school meals across Connecticut, let’s help our children,” said Julieth Callejas, Executive Director of End Hunger CT.
The federal government provides funding for universal free school meals, but that funding has dried up in many school districts.
Advocates say they will continue to fight for its reinstatement at the state and federal level.
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