In a June 2022 report by the Center for American Progress, it was revealed that nearly 24 million households in the United States often lack sufficient food during the week, with almost half of those households including children. The issue of food insecurity has been escalating over the years, reaching new heights during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many households turned to federal nutrition assistance programs, such as SNAP, for the first time. However, factors like inflation, supply chain disruptions, and price gouging by corporations have further aggravated the situation.

Now, Congress has a crucial opportunity to address hunger and food insecurity through the upcoming Farm Bill. This trillion-dollar omnibus bill, renegotiated every five years, covers various aspects of the food system, including farm subsidies, climate resilience, agriculture, and food assistance programs. Approximately 80% of the Farm Bill‘s funding is allocated to nutrition programs, with a particular focus on SNAP and other federal anti-hunger initiatives.

Advocates, including AFSC (American Friends Service Committee), are joining forces nationwide to advocate for a just and equitable Farm Bill that effectively combats hunger and malnutrition. They recognize that poverty, hunger, and food insecurity often stem from wealth and income disparities rooted in systemic racism. While the Farm Bill supports programs that help millions of people secure daily meals, the rules governing access to these programs are embedded in a history of inequality.

To ensure progress towards the goal of eliminating hunger in the United States, there are three key actions experts recommend that Congress take in the next Farm Bill:

1. Permanently incorporate COVID-era improvements to anti-hunger programs. In response to the pandemic, Congress implemented crucial enhancements to SNAP, allowing more individuals to qualify and enroll. These measures included waiving the time limit for unemployed individuals, expanding access for low-income college students, and simplifying the application process. However, these changes are currently set to expire in May 2023, coinciding with the planned end of the COVID-19 health emergency. If these expanded benefits end, it could result in approximately 41 million SNAP recipients losing an average of $82 in monthly food assistance—a significant blow considering prevailing inflation and high food costs.
2. Eliminate barriers faced by immigrants in accessing anti-hunger programs. The “welfare reform act” enacted in 1996 excluded immigrants from various social support programs, including SNAP, by imposing a requirement for lawful permanent residency for a minimum of five years. This restriction has denied essential support to many immigrants and discouraged eligible individuals from applying due to fears of jeopardizing their immigration status. Undocumented individuals and non-citizens, regardless of income or duration of residency, remain ineligible for federal programs. Additionally, eligibility varies across states, further creating confusion and fear among green card holders. Congress should enact legislation like the Lift the Bar Act and the HEAL Act, which would eliminate discriminatory barriers and grant immigrants the access they need to vital food assistance.
3. Repeal the lifetime ban on individuals with felony drug convictions from receiving SNAP and TANF. In 1996, Congress enacted a lifetime ban on individuals with drug felony convictions from accessing SNAP and TANF benefits. While states were given the option to opt out, many still enforce this ban and impose burdensome requirements to restore eligibility. Studies have shown that access to food and other basic needs reduces recidivism rates and helps rebuild communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by incarceration and policing. Approximately 91% of individuals recently released from incarceration face food insecurity, alongside housing and employment barriers. By lifting this ban, Congress can enable individuals with felony convictions to focus on securing employment, housing, and other essentials, rather than worrying about accessing food.

The right to food is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. Until this principle is fully recognized, the food system and its policies will continue to fall short in addressing widespread hunger in the United States. While more extensive efforts are needed to tackle the root causes of hunger and poverty, programs like SNAP play a critical role in helping individuals and families put food on the table every day.