Food Policy 1-Pgr 2012.1
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ood Policy and the Texas Le gislature Many Texan fami lies struggle to afford fo od, and one in four Texan child ren are at ris k for hunger. At the same time, more Texans are obese than ever before, and the health costs associated with obesity-related diseases and chronic conditions are soaring. Hunger and obesity are two sides of the same coin: Processed and high-calorie foods are often the cheapest source of food for Texans. The Texas Legislature should ensure that all Texans have access to an affordable and nutritious diet. Texas has the third highest rate of families at risk for hunger in the nation. Food insecurity affects all of us; it is estimated that hunger costs the nation more than $9 billion annually for the costs of charity, illness, and lowered productivity. Food policy advocates identify four areas where change can greatly benefit Texas with minimal cost to the state: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Formerly “food stamps,” SNAP food benefits are designed to help low-income Texans buy healthy food. Currently, only about half of eligible Texans receive benefits. SNAP benefits are 100 percent federally funded, but it is the state’s responsibility to make sure resources reach those in need. Summer Food Programs Many children who are eligible for free or reduced lunch meal prices go without nutritious food during the summer. This deprivation and the deprivation of organized activities create a “learning gap” that sets many school children back during the following school year. Summer Food Programs offer children at least one meal per day during the months they are not in school. Summer food sites are often schools, community centers, or churches. Obesity Prevention Childhood obesity is one of Texas’ fastest growing health challenges. While this crisis is impacting each and every segment of our society, children in our poorest communities and minority popul ations are affected the most. Sustainable Food Systems To provide healthy, affordable food for all, Texas needs a sustainable food production system including robust local production. Strengthening our agriculture and other food production systems is part of a comprehensive, statewide approach to health and economic security. Food Legislation Passed During the 82 nd Legislature • HB 2994 (Miles/Estes) supports innovative urban farming technologies and research advancements through loans. • SB 89 (Lucio/Rodriguez) increases the number of children served by expanded the Summer Food Service Program. • SB 226 (Nelson, Todd Smith) provides Texas Education Agency (TEA) with information about students’ fitness exams. TEA can use this data to develop better policies and curriculum for all Texan students. • HB 710 (Walle, Deuell) makes it easier for people who need SNAP benefits to receive them and decreases the burden on eligibility offices. How can the Legislature strengthen Texas food policy in 2013? • Improve the quality of meals served in childcare centers and schools. • Increase access to food assistance and nutrition education to give families the resources they need to make better food choices. • Make affordable, fresh, and health food more accessible to low-income communities through expansion of supermarket availability, farmers’ markets and community gardens. The Texas Food Policy Roundtable (TFPR) is a broad- based gr oup of Te xas leade rs workin g to deve lop, coordinate, and improve the implementation of food policy to address hunger and promote equitable, sustainable, and healthy food in Texas. Visit TFPR at www.txfoodpolicy.org
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Food Policy and the Texas Legislature
Many Texan families struggle to afford food, and one in four Texan children are at risk for hunger. At the same time
more Texans are obese than ever before, and the health costs associated with obesity-related diseases and chronicconditions are soaring. Hunger and obesity are two sides of the same coin: Processed and high-calorie foods are
often the cheapest source of food for Texans. The Texas Legislature should ensure that all Texans have access to an
affordable and nutritious diet.
Texas has the third highest rate of families at risk for
hunger in the nation. Food insecurity affects all of us;it is estimated that hunger costs the nation more than
$9 billion annually for the costs of charity, illness, andlowered productivity. Food policy advocates identify
four areas where change can greatly benefit Texaswith minimal cost to the state:
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program) Formerly “food stamps,” SNAP food benefits are
designed to help low-income Texans buy healthyfood. Currently, only about half of eligible Texans
receive benefits. SNAP benefits are 100 percent
federally funded, but it is the state’s responsibility tomake sure resources reach those in need.
Summer Food Programs
Many children who are eligible for free or reduced
lunch meal prices go without nutritious food duringthe summer. This deprivation and the deprivation of
organized activities create a “learning gap” that sets
many school children back during the followingschool year. Summer Food Programs offer children at
least one meal per day during the months they are notin school. Summer food sites are often schools,community centers, or churches.
Obesity Prevention Childhood obesity is one of Texas’ fastest growinghealth challenges. While this crisis is impacting each
and every segment of our society, children in our
poorest communities and minority populations areaffected the most.
Sustainable Food Systems To provide healthy, affordable food for all, Texas
needs a sustainable food production system including
robust local production. Strengthening our agricultureand other food production systems is part of a
comprehensive, statewide approach to health and
economic security.
Food Legislation Passed During the 82nd
Legislature
• HB 2994 (Miles/Estes) supports innovative urban
farming technologies and researchadvancements through loans.
• SB 89 (Lucio/Rodriguez) increases the number of children served by expanded the Summer Food
Service Program.• SB 226 (Nelson, Todd Smith) provides Texas
Education Agency (TEA) with information about
students’ fitness exams. TEA can use this data to
develop better policies and curriculum for all Texan
students.• HB 710 (Walle, Deuell) makes it easier for people
who need SNAP benefits to receive them and
decreases the burden on eligibility offices.
How can the Legislature strengthen Texas food
policy in 2013?
• Improve the quality of meals served in childcare
centers and schools.• Increase access to food assistance and nutrition
education to give families the resources they needto make better food choices.
• Make affordable, fresh, and health food moreaccessible to low-income communities through
expansion of supermarket availability, farmers’markets and community gardens.
The Texas Food Policy Roundtable (TFPR) is a broad- based group of Texas leaders working to develop,
coordinate, and improve the implementation of food policy
to address hunger and promote equitable, sustainable, and
healthy food in Texas. Visit TFPR at www.txfoodpolicy.or
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