Maryland Hunger Solutions Newsletter
August 5, 2008
Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report 2008
Maryland's participation in the Summer Nutrition Programs slipped in July 2007, with just 21 percent of eligible low-income children in the state receiving summer meals, according to Maryland Hunger Solutions. Data from a national report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) found that participation fell from serving more than 49,000 Maryland children in July 2006 to fewer than 43,000 in July 2007. Download the executive summary to learn more.
Maryland Food Stamp Program Participation: County Level Data - June 2008
In June 2008 food stamp participation at 366,584 persons was up over the month by 3,557 people and over the prior June 2007 by 46,450 people. Over the past five years the Food Stamp program has grown over 43 percent in Maryland. At a time when more than 35 million people in the U.S. face a constant struggle against hunger, continuing to strengthen the reach of the Food Stamp Program is vital.
Most recently, the weak economy and food price inflation are taking a toll on low-income households. The purchasing power of food stamp allotments is not keeping pace with food inflation. For May 2008 nationally, FRAC estimated, the maximum food stamp allotment for a family of four was 7 percent or over $40 short of the amount the government estimates is needed to purchase even the minimally adequate diet outlined in the Thrifty Food Plan market basket.
In June 2008 the largest increase in people participating in the Food Stamp program in Maryland over the last year took place in Howard, Anne Arundel, Prince George's, St. Mary's, and Charles Counties.
Reminder
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 is the Child Nutrition/WIC Reauthorization USDA Listening Session for the Mid-Atlantic region. The session will take place at the Enoch Pratt Central Library, Third Floor Auditorium, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD.
If you are unable to attend the session, you will have an opportunity to submit written comments to USDA by October 15, 2008. Comments can be emailed, faxed, mailed, or hand delivered. For more information, visit the FRAC website.
