INDIANAPOLIS - The U.S. Senate has proposed a fourth round of legislation to stave off further economic damage from the novel coronavirus pandemic. But critics say the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act fails to provide the most basic of relief for Indiana families experiencing heightened hunger, uncertainty and distress.

Emily Weikert Bryant - executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry - said the current proposal doesn't increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits, a decision that could have disastrous consequences.

She said in the coming months food banks expect to see from 40% to 70% increase in demand - at a time when food donations have dropped off and volunteers are scarce.

"And in light of all of that, the Feeding America network has distributed 1.9 billion meals since March 1, so there's a heroic effort going on in the charitable sector," said Bryant. "But for every one meal that the Feeding America system distributes, SNAP provides nine."

Bryant adds that increasing SNAP benefits by 15%, a move supported by Feeding America and other anti-hunger groups nationwide, will help more families access nutritious food during the COVID-19 crisis.

Federal data shows SNAP participation among Hoosiers increased by 16% between February and May, and she said the state continues to see between four and six thousand new SNAP applications each week.

She said the SNAP program is one of the fastest forms of local economic stimulus.

"When low-income families receive their SNAP benefits to purchase groceries, these dollars are circulated within and stimulate these local economies," said Bryant.

Jessica Fraser, director of the Institute for Working Families, said she's troubled by lawmakers' holdout on continuing the additional $600 a week in federal unemployment insurance benefits set to expire this week.

She said research shows Indiana residents in minimum-wage service-sector jobs would then receive between $180 and $200 a week in unemployment benefits through the state system.

"Think about that," said Fraser. "If we don't have the boost in the federal UI, then there's no way that people can pay their bills on $180 a week in state UI."

She added the additional $600 a week is critical for preventing families from sliding further into credit-card and loan debt.

Recent census survey data reveals that since the pandemic, one in five Hoosiers has used credit cards or loans to pay regular bills, and nearly one-fourth said they've tapped into savings accounts or sold assets.

Groups working to fight hunger in California are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to protect funding for the CalFood program in his initial budget proposal, which comes out Jan. 10.

CalFood allows food banks to purchase things that are not often donated - such as eggs, milk, produce, meat and cheese - from California farmers.

Becky Silva, director of government relations for the California Association of Food Banks, said CalFood has enjoyed a temporary boost for the past three years - so, unless the line item is made permanent, funding levels would see a major drop next summer, at the end of the fiscal year.

"So, that means that it'll go from the current approximately $62 million per year down to about $8 million," she said, "and so obviously, food banks are incredibly worried about what that will mean."

She said the food banks are asking for a permanent allocation of $60 million a year in order to avoid big cuts in service. The association estimates that a 1% drop in hunger prevents $600 million in health-care costs, while supporting farmers and food producers in the Golden State.

The association represents 41 food banks that served about 6 million people per month in 2023, which is a 20% increase, year over year. Silva said hunger levels jumped during the COVID pandemic and have not come back down.

"Food insecurity rates are not decreasing, right? Even though a lot of people think of the pandemic as being over," she said, "the economic impacts are still being felt by people all over the state."

Once the governor releases his blueprint, the Legislature will start negotiations. Lawmakers have until June 15 to produce a final budget.


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New funding is making it easier than ever for Oregon farmers to become certified organic.

To achieve certification, farmers must go three years without using synthetic additives such as fertilizers or pesticides. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon has launched the Organic Transition Initiative to provide financial and technical support.

Ben Bowell, director of education and advocacy for the group Oregon Tilth, noted the funding is especially valuable because the transition can be costly.

"During that time they have to be farming as organic farmers but they are not able to access an organic crop premium," Bowell pointed out.

Farmers can also get support through the initiative to develop organic systems for fertilization, building soil and controlling weeds.

Bowell explained the initiative is one of a three-part national USDA Organic Transition Initiative. This five-year program provides mentorship from experienced organic farmers, technical assistance and an organic market development program. He emphasized with the three programs, the combined $300 million investment in organic farming is historic.

"Right now is an amazing time to consider transitioning to organic in terms of all of the support that's available," Bowell stated.

Erica Thompson, farm operations manager for the U-pick blueberry farm Blueberry Meadows near Corvallis, which has been in her family since 1993, is a little over a year into the three-year process. She said figuring out a new fertility program and disease management has been a challenge, along with understanding the application and documentation process.

Thompson added working with the Organic Transition Initiative has been helpful.

"Being part of it has really solved or like is in the process of solving all my questions and uncertainties," Thompson observed.

Along with farmers, support is available for ranchers and forest landowners looking to go organic. Applications for the current round of funding are due Jan. 17.


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A Detroit nonprofit said it is helping people in the city reclaim control over the food they eat from where it is grown to where they buy it.

The Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network is leading the mission for what they call "food sovereignty," focusing on helping Detroiters access healthy, culturally meaningful food and taking control of its sustainable production while addressing food insecurity.

Shakara Tyler, board president of the network, said they operate a seven-acre farm in Detroit's River Rouge Park.

"We grow food so it's more accessible for community members, so they don't have to rely on liquor stores and gas stations to access basic necessities to feed themselves and their families," Tyler explained. "We also grow food to make a little bit of money."

About one-third of households in Detroit report experiencing food insecurity, with 80% of its residents relying on "fringe food" sources like fast food chains, liquor stores and corner stores where items like fresh produce are not available.

Detroit's urban farming scene has experienced significant growth, with more than 2,000 gardens and farms operating throughout the city. Tyler explained starting the farms is not just about offering healthy food, it is also about giving people a sense of ownership and empowerment, which she noted requires a thoughtful approach.

"You adapt that by starting where people are," Tyler emphasized. "Asking questions about their values and their experiences and then building from there, and not assuming that what works in one area will work in another area because this work is very place-based."

Michigan is not the only state where this mission has caught on. As of this year, there are close to 30,000 community garden plots in city parks across the United States, marking a 22% increase from 2021.

This story is based on original reporting by Dalya Massachi for Everyday Climate Champions.


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