Take action now — ask Congress to strengthen the local economy through SNAP and support healthy food incentive programs that increase access to fruits and vegetables.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital federal program. In Florida, close to 3 million are enrolled in SNAP, with 59% of SNAP participants including households with children and 41% of SNAP recipients including seniors or those with a disability. Any reductions to SNAP would hurt state and local economies. For every $1 that Floridians spend in SNAP benefits, more than $1.50 in economic activity is generated. This “multiplier effect” helps support stores and farmers markets. In 2023, Floridians participating in SNAP spent nearly $7.2 billion in benefits at over 15,148 local stores — including many small businesses — throughout the state (Florida Policy Institute).
Potential SNAP Cuts and proposed restrictions on SNAP:
- Reducing SNAP benefits would directly lead to more individuals and families struggling to afford food; 15.7% of children live in families below the poverty line.
- Proposed restrictions on SNAP purchases aim to promote healthy eating, a commendable goal, but these restrictions could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
- Insufficient access to nutritious food can lead to poor health outcomes and increased healthcare costs.
- SNAP benefits create positive economic returns; cuts would decrease spending at local grocery stores and farmers markets.
- Organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay do not have infinite resources and may not be able to cover the increased need in the community. For every 1 meal FTB provides, SNAP provides 9.
Protecting and strengthening SNAP through healthy food incentive programs is not just about helping individuals; it's about safeguarding the health, well-being, and economic stability of our community.
Join Feeding Tampa Bay and let our lawmakers know that you support SNAP and the nutrition programs that broaden access to nutritious foods.