Farm bill is critical part of public health policy

those who are struggling in our community.

While the legislation provides for crop, farm and other commodity programs, it also provides the regulatory framework and funding for federal nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps). Of the more than $800 billion projected to be spent in the next 10 years on programs authorized through the farm bill, 77 percent goes for nutritional title programs to feed our hungry neighbors.

Early in this year’s process, major changes restricting access to SNAP were contained in what many advocates for our hungry neighbors believed to be partisan legislation. This version, containing massive funding cuts, was passed by the U.S. House. The proposal would have cut more than 9 billion meals from SNAP recipients in a 10-year period. Clearly, this punitive action created even more barriers for Ohioans who are struggling, yet trying to get back on their feet.

Fortunately, the Senate chose a more sensible and compassionate approach to nutritional-support programs, passing legislation to continue funding at current demand levels. Our thanks go to Ohio Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, who joined with the majority of their colleagues to support and pass a responsible, nonpartisan bill. Sen. Brown in particular took a lead role as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which drafted the Senate bill version; he now plays a pivotal role as a member of the conference committee seeking to find common ground for the House and Senate to enact the 2018 farm bill.

Two-thirds of SNAP recipients are children, senior citizens and those living with disabilities. The average length that a person is on SNAP assistance is less than a year, with time and work requirements already in place to receive assistance. The average amount per meal an individual on SNAP receives is $1.51; because SNAP is truly supplemental, many hungry families seek assistance for food through the Foodbank’s partner agency network. And, about 70 percent of the clients served by Mid-Ohio Foodbank make less than five visits a year to a food pantry. SNAP is serving those in need, illustrating that SNAP integrity is at record levels.

Additionally, SNAP and other federal nutrition programs are using incentives to provide fresher, healthier foods. Because hunger does not exist in isolation, organizations such as the Foodbank are working with health-care and peer human-service agencies to link nutritious foods and support services to help clients toward sufficiency. And, because of what we are learning about food’s impact on health, it is time for us to start looking at SNAP through a new lens: as good public health policy and not as an entitlement.

Deepening our understanding of food’s potential to improve health outcomes while helping to mitigate health-care costs should be a priority for all.

As new issues emerge, it is easy to push matters such as the federal farm bill aside. However, that does not make passage of a thoughtful farm bill any less important; it remains vital to enact meaningful legislation to ensure our neighbors have available resources.

Likewise, it is critical to ensure the programs in the farm bill promote innovative initiatives that help our neighbors continue on a successful path toward providing for themselves and their families.

We need a farm bill enacted with provisions that deliver solid hunger relief options today with resources to help our hungry neighbors tomorrow so that they can thrive for a lifetime.