Leahy Calls For Food Stamp, Food Bank
Relief In Stimulus Package
Statement Of
Senator Patrick Leahy,
Senate Agriculture
Committee
Hearing On Promoting Health, Preventing Chronic Disease
And Fighting Hunger, Assessment Of USDA Food Assistance And Child
Nutrition Programs In The Economic Downturn
December 8, 2008
I would like to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member
for holding this hearing today so that we can all have the chance to
learn more about how well equipped the Department of Agriculture is to
assist the American people in preventing chronic disease and fighting
hunger during our current economic crisis.
I would also like to welcome back my fellow committee
members and I hope everyone, especially our friends at USDA, is prepared
to work hard to improve these programs in order to meet the growing
demand across the country.
We have entered one of the most severe periods of
economic turmoil in modern history. And when times are tough, more
Americans go hungry. We know from experience that hunger will worsen
during this recession before it gets better. We see that happening
right now in our communities. Hunger is a leading indicator and an
enduring indicator during tough economic times, but hunger is more than
just statistics. Hunger is deeply personal and takes its toll one
child and one family at a time.
Right now in my home state of
Vermont, nearly 1 in 10 people are “hunger insecure,” as the statistics
have it. These are people who are running
out of food, reducing the quality of food their family eats,
feeding their children unbalanced diets, and
skipping meals altogether so they can afford to feed their children.
With the dramatic rise in both food prices and unemployment, the
current economy severely affects food security in families. When people
lose their jobs and income or when wages go down, they show up at food
stamp offices and also at food shelves. Right now our food shelves are
strained far beyond their resources, and there is a limit to how many
people they can serve. Our food pantries are having a hard time filling
the shelves at a time when we need them the most. We
all must to do more to feed those in need, and the Agriculture
Department needs to be a vigorous part of that partnership.
It is important to note that hunger is not the only
thing we must fight. Hunger is just one of the problems; poor-quality
diets, nutrient deficiencies, obesity, developmental delays, increases
in aggression, depression, and hyperactive behavior -- along with poor
academic performance -- are all problems facing children living in
hunger insecure homes.
While there are many issues that are important to me,
and I believe to the rest of the Committee, as we are facing very
difficult economic times I will limit my remarks to one of the most
pressing issues facing us today. There continues to be a great deal of
discussion on what should be included in the next economic stimulus
package. I believe that Congress and the Administration must continue
to act to provide prompt, sensible and effective stimulus measures that
will complement the work done to date by Congress and the Treasury
Department.
We must focus on sound steps that will give us the
biggest bang for the buck and will flow immediately into the economy in
order to stimulate the economy where and when it is most needed. I
continue to believe that one of the proven ways to stimulate the economy
for those in need is through the Food Stamp program; efforts must begin
immediately for an increase in food stamp benefits. Another would
be temporarily increase federal reimbursement for school meals.
Finally I believe we must look at ways to provide more resources for our
Food Banks around the country.
I add my welcome to our panel today and thank each of
you for the work you do on this vital issue. This country is
facing some serious challenges when it comes to fighting hunger and
preventing chronic disease.
Mr. Chairman, thank you again for holding this
hearing. I look forward to hearing from the witnesses on these and
other issues.
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