Cumberland County Food System Alliance

Our featured topic is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP and formerly known as food stamps. SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers' markets and co-op food programs. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the program at the federal level – SNAP is a component of the USDA’s Farm Bill.

As part of this session, we will tap the knowledge of a panel of food policy advocates and educators to learn more about the details and intricacies of SNAP. Specifically, we will hear how the 2018 Farm Bill impacts the status of the program and how we as food system stakeholders can support SNAP outreach, education and enrollment to help achieve greater access to nutritious, healthy foods.

As you might know, SNAP is underutilized and many who are eligible do not enroll in the program. Please come to the meeting with your ideas and strategies for increasing SNAP enrollment and utilization of this important health benefit.

Also, please mark your calendars and save the date for the following remaining meetings in our inaugural year:

· May 29, 2019 – Increasing Access: Innovations in Local Food Delivery Models

· August 28, 2019 – Lessons to be Learned: Opportunities & Challenges in Nutrition Education