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CALL THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND TELL THEM TO PROTECT AMERICA'S NUTRITION PROGRAMS. |
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Wednesday the Senate Budget Committee is set to consider proposals that would slash billions from our country’s nutrition programs—reducing funding that provides SNAP (food stamps) to over 47 million Americans, and completely eliminating the nutrition education program SNAP-Ed. As budget conversations continue over the next few days, a proposal on the table from Senator Roberts, to slash $36 billion, is expected to be the first of many misdirected attempts to balance the budget by literally taking healthy foods off of people's plates. The proposed cuts could go even higher, if we don't stand up for nutrition programs today.
On the heels of last week’s devastating sequester cuts, we can’t afford to sever one of the most important safety nets for our poorest families. Cutting nutrition programs won’t reduce poverty, stop children from going hungry or provide resources that improve diets.
Please make a call today to the Senate Budget Committee and tell them to protect SNAP and SNAP-Ed from any cuts —in Senator Roberts' proposal, and in any future negotiations.
“Times are tough right now for millions of Americans,” Senator Roberts said when he introduced his bill—but cutting our nutrition programs won’t make things any easier. Today 15% of our nation lives below the poverty line, the highest proportion in a half century. They depend on SNAP, SNAP-Ed, and the emergency food assistance program for the resources, knowledge, and access to healthy foods that they need to prevent hunger and improve diets on tight budgets.
By protecting SNAP-Ed, we support programs like a Pennsylvania SNAP-Ed School Nutrition initiative that resulted in a 50% reduction in obesity among 4th and 5th graders. We support Harvest of the Month in Michigan and California, which links farmers, schools and grocery stores and increases the purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Click here to join PHI and nutrition advocates across the country. Make a call today to the Senate Budget Committee and tell them to protect SNAP and SNAP-Ed from any cuts—now and in future negotiations—and oppose Roberts' proposal. (We’ve made it easy with phone numbers and suggested talking points.)
Thank you for your help.
Matthew Marsom
Vice President of Public Health Policy and Advocacy
