Many people in rural areas live far from grocery stores, making it difficult to get nutritious food, especially without access to a car or public transit. Food banks play a critical role in helping people in rural communities, and across the country, access the food we all need to thrive.
Congress can help millions of families afford a healthy diet by continuing to modernize SNAP and ensuring the Thrifty Food Plan—used to determine SNAP benefit amounts—reflects adjustments for inflation as well as evolving dietary recommendations and consumption patterns.
Some U.S. territories, like Puerto Rico, are still cut off from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In the farm bill, Congress can allow equal access to SNAP, ensuring families can get dignified access to food assistance, no matter their ZIP code.
When disaster zones are widespread or difficult to reach, it may not be feasible to transfer food where it's needed swiftly. Strengthening TEFAP is key to ensuring food banks have the resources they need to meet the moment.
Eighty-eight percent of our neighbors facing hunger say federal and local governments should treat hunger as an urgent crisis. Congress can pass a strong farm bill that makes big investments in the critical federal programs that help hardworking individuals and families keep food on the table.
More and more families are visiting food banks to keep food on the table as they face stubbornly high food prices and the end of pandemic-era aid. Congress can help alleviate the pressure on food banks by strengthening critical programs in the next farm bill.
