Impact reports cover performance in all 64 counties, showcase need for continued progress in enrolling low-income Coloradans
DENVER (March 27, 2019) – Colorado is known as a state for healthy, active lifestyles, yet one in eleven Coloradans struggles with hunger. Food stamps provide a solution by helping people of all ages weather life’s storms while improving health and well-being among participants and bringing millions of dollars into local economies.
Hunger Free Colorado, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger, released its fourth annual “Food Stamp Impact Reports” for all 64 counties today. The reports detail the efficiency and effectiveness of the state-supervised, county-administered program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, by examining enrollment, economic impact and performance in each county across the state.
Food stamps are our nation’s first line of defense against hunger and ensure families and individuals can access the healthy, affordable food needed to help them thrive. The program provides modest monthly funds for food purchases at grocery stores and farmers markets—averaging $1.40 per person, per meal. National research links food stamps to enhanced academic performance, better long-term health and increased economic security for those who receive the assistance.
“Hunger is an issue we can and must solve to ensure the well-being of all Coloradans,” said Marc Jacobson, CEO of Hunger Free Colorado. “Healthy food helps children grow and excel in school, increases productivity in the workforce and keeps older adults stable and independent. Investing in strong federal nutrition programs is an investment in our communities and state economy.”
The newly released Food Stamp Impact Reports examine outcomes at a county level. The reports compare each county’s performance with the state averages for participation and economic impact, as well as national standards for timely and accurate application processing. The analysis follows the same method as the USDA performance measures used to award bonuses to well-performing states.
Highlights from the released data include:
- Colorado was awarded more than $2 million in federal performance bonuses in 2016 and 2017 for timeliness and accuracy in the Food Stamp Program, meaning clients are getting benefits faster.
- Colorado ranks 43rd in the nation for access to food stamps with only 60 percent of those eligible getting the nutritious food they need, which falls below the national average of 73 percent for enrollment.
- Food stamps support local businesses like grocers, ranches and farms; benefits brought more than $700 million to local Colorado economies in 2017 at an amplified economic impact of more than $1.25 billion.
- Colorado leaves millions of federal dollars on the table and loses more than $232 million annually in grocery sales.
“Our state has more than enough resources to ensure individuals and families in Colorado have consistent access to nutritious food,” said Jacobson. “Now is the time for state and local counterparts to come together to build a strong, effective food assistance program that removes barriers and improves access to healthy, affordable food, creating a strong foundation for all Coloradans.”
Based upon the available data and research, Hunger Free Colorado recommends the following to benefit all in the state:
- Embrace food stamps as a tool for promoting well-being and economic growth for Colorado families and our state.
- Prioritize full enrollment of families and individuals with limited incomes in Colorado’s Food Assistance Program.
- Increase collaboration between counties to identify and implement best practices, such as extended office hours, investing in outreach or using collaborative workflow management systems.
- Utilize these reports as an advocacy tool for better policies and practices around food stamp enrollment and to better understand opportunities in Colorado communities.
“Thanks to hard work across our state, enrollment in food stamps has improved over last year and more counties are adopting innovative practices to increase access to the program,” shared Jacobson. “Yet, we still have a long way to go before every Coloradan has the fuel they need to reach their full potential.”
View the Food Stamp Impact Reports for Colorado counties and all sources at HungerFreeColorado.org/Impact-Reports.
Media Contact: Ellie Agar, Director of Communications, (720) 464-3620