Food and Nutrition Service
HomeAbout FNSNewsroomHelpContact USEn Espanol

 

 

  

Search all USDA
Search Tips


Community Outreach
Data and Statistics
Financial Management
Forms
Food Safety
Grants
Nutrition Education
Regulations & Policy
Research
Services & Programs

 


You are here: Home > Newsroom > Press Releases
  Newsroom
 

Release No.0287.99

Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
laura.trivers@usda.gov

Phil Shanholtzer (703) 305-2286
phil.shanholtzer@fns.usda.gov

GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES FOOD STAMP CHANGES, PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN 

WASHINGTON, July 14, 1999 Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced a nationwide food stamp public awareness campaign in the wake of new data showing that at the same time the economy is strong and  people are leaving welfare for work, nearly 10 million people lived in households that experienced hunger. 

"We have the strongest economy in a generation, and millions of Americans have left the welfare rolls. Yet, while the number of
families on food stamps has declined over the last five years, the number of families who experience hunger has not changed," Glickman said. "It doesn't add up, and, that has me concerned. We need to be sure that everyone who is eligible for the nation's nutrition assistance programs knows how they can get benefits."

In response, Glickman said, "USDA will launch an education and information campaign that will target the working poor, legal
immigrants and the elderly, all of whom have low rates of participation in the Food Stamp Program. A toll-free number, (800) 221-5689, is available to provide information about eligibility and benefits. In addition, USDA is making administrative changes in the program to ease the burden on recipients and states." The changes include: 

  • New policy guidance making it easier for working families to own a car and still receive food stamps.
  • New regulations that simplify rules so that families do not have to report income as often and states will not be penalized for
    small errors in estimating families' future earnings; and
  • A tool kit -- part of the education and information campaign -- to help local, state, and community leaders in understanding food
    stamp program requirements as well as model strategies to improve participation.

The new food insecurity numbers released today show that in 1998 nearly 10 million people more than a third of them children -- lived in households that experienced hunger. USDA's report, Household Food Security in the United States,1995-1998, is the second in a series representing the most comprehensive effort ever undertaken to measure and monitor the extent of hunger in the United States.

#

Back to the top