Right to Food Study Guide PDF

[Right to Food Reading] Does the United States have a right to food in their constitution? Do other countries? - The United States does not have a right to food in their constitution, nor does any member of the European union. 29 other countries have recognized the right to food. Has th...

[Right to Food Reading] Does the United States have a right to food in their constitution? Do other countries? - The United States does not have a right to food in their constitution, nor does any member of the European union. 29 other countries have recognized the right to food. Has the food insecurity rate remained stable from 2000 to 2017? Explain your answer. - No, remained stable until 2008 then the recession caused the insecurity rate to increase. Does food insecurity show differences across region? Explain your answer. - Certain areas, like the Mississippi Delta and Appalachia face higher food insecurity due to income inequality and other factors. What are the two main hurdles cited for not participating in SNAP in the United States? 1. Stigma associated with using government assistance programs. 2. Transaction Costs causing the program's application process to be too burdensome, and if these perceived costs outweigh the benefits, eligible individuals may opt not to participate. Describe the two broad sets of proposals to place more requirements on SNAP recipients - Impose work requirements on SNAP recipients - Guidelines for what they can and cannot purchase with SNAP money Describe an improvement to SNAP proposed in the article to better address food insecurity in the United States - Increase the gross income limit to as much as 200% of the poverty line to allow more households in need to access SNAP benefits. - Food insecurity is linked to the "right to food," formalized in internation agreements like the international covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. - The U.S does not have "right to food" but has implemented the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for over 50 years. - Food insecurity in the US is measured vis the Core Food Security Module (CFSM) in national surveys. - Households are categorized into food secure, low food secure, and very low food secure based on responses to financial constraint-related questions. - Food insecurity rose significantly during the Great Recession (2008-2014) but has since declined although rates remain above pre-recession levels. - Geographic and demographic disparities exist in food insecurity rates, with rural areas like Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta facing higher rates. - Reaching those in need: - SNAP eligibility is based on income, assets, and household needs. Benefits decrease as income rises, targeting the most vulnerable. - Some eligible individuals do not participate due to stigma, transaction costs, or ineligibility based on criteria like criminal records or lack of dependents. - Effective Mechanisms: - Benefits are distributed via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, usable at over 250,000 retail outlets, leveraging the US developed retail network. - Fully Funded as an Entitlement: - SNAP operates as an entitlement program, expanding during economic downturns without requiring special government authorization - Ensuring Dignity and Autonomy: - Minimal conditions are imposed on recipients, but proposals like work requirements or restrictions on food purchases could increase stigma and reduce participation. - Providing Sufficient Resources: - Current SNAP benefits often fall short, leaving recipients food insecure. Increasing benefits or expanding eligibility could address the gap. - Challenges and Future Focus: - Should the goal be ending all food insecurity or just sever cases? - Governments should avoid policies (like food taxes) that make food harder to access - SNAP doesn't cover everyone in need, like undocumented immigrants or people with disabilities. - Adapting SNAP for poorer countries may require different approaches due to limited infrastructure. - Coordination with other programs, like school lunches, helps reduce food insecurity for children. - SNAP automatically expands during economic downturns without requiring new legislation. [The Creation of Food Assistance Programs] Proposed Improvements 1. Expand Impact a. Increase benefit amounts and income eligibility thresholds b. Include more households with incomes just above the current limits 2. Address Participation Barriers: c. Simplify application processes d. Reduce stigma through public education 3. Avoid Restrictive Measures: e. Oppose limiting food purchases or increasing work requirements, which may discourage participation. [Introduction to SNAP and RMP] - Additional programs include Women, infants, and children (WIC) and Child Nutrition Programs (NSLP/SBP/CEP) - 97% of benefits are utilized within the first month. - In-kind transfers, like food stamps, provide specific goods/services rather than cash. - Childhood access to SNAP leads to health and economic benefits, including reduced incidence of metabolic syndrome and increased economic self-sufficiency for women. - Key groups potentially underserved by SNAP: elderly, diabled, and unhoused individuals. - Common barriers: mobility issues and access to facilities. - SNAP is now available online with Online purchasing pilot (OPP) Restaurant Meals Program (RMP): - A SNAP state option allowing participants (elderly, disabled, unhoused) to use benefits for prepared meals at restaurants. - As of now, only nine states participate [Introduction of WIC and CNP] WIC Overview: - Established in 1972 to support vulnerable populations (women, infants, and children) with nutritional needs - In 2021, 12.13 million were eligible, with only 6.21 million participants. - Low participation attributed to eligibility-participation gaps and potential information issues. - WIC participation improves birth outcomes and has stronger effects on disadvantaged women. School Meal Programs: - National School Lunch Program (NSLP): - Served 28.6 students daily, including free, reduced-price, and full-price lunches. - School Breakfast Program (SBP): - Serves 14.45 million students daily under similar income-based eligibility as NSLP. - Both NSLP and SBP aim to enhance nutrition, health, and educational outcomes [Modernizing SNAP Benefits Reading] How does the USDA determine the maximum benefit for SNAP? (What is the name of the plan used in the calculation?) - SNAP benefits are based on the Thrift Food Plan (TFP). - Calculation: SNAP benefits = maximum benefit -.3 x Net income What is the initial challenge or greatest shortcoming identified by Ziliak? Explain your answer. - The challenge is that the TFP is outdated and unrealistic. It assumes that households have an unlimited amount of time to prepare food. (lowest cost food, but most time-intensive) Name an additional factor leading to the inadequacy of SNAP benefits. - Family composition: Teenagers are not actually seen as teenagers (who need more food) but are seen as children, so they are not receiving enough benefits. What are the three proposed to address the challenges described? 1. Increase the TFP by 20% to account for time costs of food preparation 2. Update TFP to reflect geographic price differences, teenage nutrition, and diverse household needs 3. Conduct studies to support and refine the proposed changes Describe one benefit and cost for the proposal to modernize SNAP benefits - Benefit: Reduces food insecurity, the 20% increase in benefits could lower food insecurity. - Cost: Increased annual costs: 20% increase causes the budget for SNAP to also need to increase.