Item:
Title
Approval of a Support Letter for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: May 12, 2025
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve and sign a support letter for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to members of Congress to urge them to protect SNAP funding. SNAP is the nation’s largest and most impactful federally funded nutrition program. SNAP provides critical food benefits to help more than 35,000 Durham County residents afford nutritious food. Forty-six percent of these residents are under 18 years of age and nearly 10% are over 65 years old.
SNAP not only improves food security but has also been shown to improve health outcomes. This results in improved educational attainment for our children and reduced Medicaid costs for our state. SNAP also strengthens the local economy as benefits are spent at farmers markets and grocery stores.
Recent federal budget proposals include significant cuts to SNAP benefits and added restrictions to program eligibility. These proposals would have devasting effects for Durham communities as 12% of our residents are food insecure. The cuts would further reduce food access, including limiting eligibility for school meals. It would also overburden our already strained food pantries and would negatively impact our local economy. Board members requested the opportunity to submit a letter and requested staff to prepare a letter reflecting the local impact.
Alignment With Strategic Plan: This item aligns with Strategic Plan Goal - SNAP most closely aligns with DCo Forward Healthy & Inclusive Community (HI 1a, HI 1b, HI 3b) and Empowered Community (EC 1c, EC 1d, EC 2a, EC 2b)
Resource Persons: Raina Goldstein Bunnag, County Food Security Coordinator (Cooperative Extension); Kelly Warnock, Nutrition Program Manager (Public Health); Latoya Chambers, Assistant Director of Family Economic Independence (DSS); Cynthia Cason, Assistant Director of Medicaid (DSS).
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board submit a signed letter to members of Congress confirming the Board’s support of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________