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SNAP Promotes Health

Published on August 8, 2018

In 2016, the health-related cost of hunger and food insecurity for Massachusetts was an estimated $2.4 billion according to a recent Children’s HealthWatch study that was sponsored by GBFB. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest nutrition program, helps to reduce food insecurity and lifts millions of Americans out of poverty each year. SNAP is primarily an anti-hunger program. However, a growing body of research links SNAP participation with better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs—suggesting that SNAP is also an effective preventative healthcare tool.

Another recent Children’s HealthWatch report explores the connection between SNAP and health. The report highlights how SNAP promotes health among all age groups, is linked with lower healthcare costs, and supports better educational and economic outcomes. The findings support why GBFB’s SNAP outreach work comes out of our Health and Research department. Read the full report here.

As Congress continues to debate the Farm Bill, we encourage federal lawmakers to support the Senate’s bipartisan version, which protects SNAP benefits and eligibility. Our representatives in D.C. need to know that protecting SNAP means promoting health.

CALL TO ACTION:

  1. Call or Tweet at Senator Warren and Senator Markey and thank them for supporting SNAP throughout this process. Encourage them to keep up the pressure!
  2. Call your U.S. Representative and thank her/him for opposing a harmful Farm Bill. Encourage your Representative to support the Senate’s version.
    • All Massachusetts Representatives voted NO on H.R. 2.
    • If you do not know who your Congressperson is, you can look it up by zip code HERE. To call your Member of Congress: (888) 398-8702.
  3. Share on Facebook and Twitter why #SNAPMatters, using #FarmBill and tagging @GR8BosFoodBank.

4 thoughts on “SNAP Promotes Health”

  1. My name is Akane, I belong to Showa Women’s University. I’m studying abroad in Boston now.
    I have a volunteer class where I should interview someone from an NPO or NGO so I’m interested in your NPO.
    Can I answer the questions of interview for your NPO?

    1. Hi Akane. To better assist you, please provide a few questions you’d like to ask as well as the email address to reach you. I will forward onto the appropriate person. Thank you.

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