Significant Cuts to Food Assistance Would Harm All Colorado Communities & Economy
Statement attributed to Kathy Underhill, CEO, Hunger Free Colorado
DENVER (February 16, 2018) — The President’s fiscal year 2019 budget guts one of our state’s and nation’s most successful programs in supporting families and individuals who are weathering a life storm—food stamps, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It puts politics over people and would make life harder for many Coloradans across the state.
The budget proposes slashing food stamps by 30 percent. It also includes a radical restructuring of the program that would reduce benefits for the overwhelming majority of households as well as harm grocers and other retailers that provide access to food, jobs and economic activity in their communities. Other proposed changes would result in more than 4 million Americans losing benefits all together.
This government overreach takes money and control away from Colorado and proposes replacing a portion of residents’ benefits with non-perishable food boxes. Not only does this require the creation of unnecessary infrastructure—a cost that could fall to Colorado—but it works on the faulty assumption that the government should be deciding what we feed our kids.
Food stamps support families in building and maintaining a strong foundation for health and well-being. If such a proposal were enacted, the modest average food stamp benefit of $1.40 per meal would be further diminished. It would significantly impact the majority of those who are eligible for food stamps—children, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. Yet, an increasing body of research demonstrates why food assistance is a smart investment that yields positive returns in the form of food and nutrition access, economic stability, health and well-being, employment, education, and productivity, which benefits all of us.
With deep cuts to food assistance, Medicaid, Medicare, affordable housing and community programs, the Trump Administration’s budget proposal endangers the well-being of our residents and economy. Moving forward with such a proposal would lead to an increase of hunger and poverty, with the ripple effects being felt by all communities in Colorado.
Media Contact: Ellie Agar, Communications Manager, (720) 464-3620