SNAP (formerly the Food Stamp Program) is the largest nutrition assistance program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, currently serving approximately 45 million people.  The goal of the program is “to alleviate hunger and malnutrition … by increasing food purchasing power for all eligible households who apply for participation”¹).

In existence since 1977, the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is offered as a state option and currently exists in California, Arizona and Michigan. It allows SNAP participants who are elderly, disabled or homeless to purchase a low-cost meal at USDA certified restaurants. In 2009 approximately 2.3 million elderly SNAP participants were eligible to participate in RMP, but only a small portion of those eligible were enrolled in RMP.

CHC believes that SNAP RMP is a valuable program that successfully allows SNAP participants who don’t have the ability or the means to store or cook food (i.e., people who are disabled, elderly or homeless) to access much needed food.  We are focused on protecting and expanding SNAP RMP to serve elderly, disabled and homeless people, and welcome all those who share this goal at the table.  We work in coalition with a variety of groups to help low-income individuals and families gain access to federal nutrition programs like SNAP and SNAP RMP, including anti-hunger organizations, religious groups, farmers and farm organizations, food banks, unions, child care sponsors, public health organizations and private sector companies and foundations².

Additionally, CHC works with anti-hunger groups, allied organizations, and corporate partners to increase SNAP benefit levels so that low-income individuals have the financial resources to purchase more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy products.  We support financial incentives for SNAP participants to purchase healthy food items.  We support efforts to locate higher quality grocery stores in low-income areas, and have worked with allied groups in making progress in this area.  Congress adopted the anti-hunger community’s agenda in the 2008 farm bill providing $10.2 billion in new funds for SNAP (over 10 years).  At our request, the Obama Administration included $20 billion in stimulus funds for SNAP participants, increasing household purchasing power by $80 a month.  These are the financial resources that allow low-income households to purchase more healthy foods when available.

Edward M. Cooney, Executive Director

1. Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended (P.L. 108-269 [↩]
2. Like most other non-profit organizations, CHC has a board approved policy stating that the organization can not accept funds from any private or public source that requires CHC to support or oppose any particular policy or legislative proposal. [↩]