By Julene Reese One in 10 Utah households experience food insecurity, and more than 102,000 Utah families do not have the resources to buy enough food, according to the “Household Food Security in the United States” annual report for 2020. To coordinate efforts to relieve the ever-growing hunger problem in Utah, the Utah Food Security
Advocates warn that low-income families may have to cut back on fruits and vegetables starting in April - if Congress allows part of their food benefits to expire. President Joe Biden s American Rescue Plan bumped up the amount families get to buy fruits and vegetables as part of the Women Infants and Children program, called WIC. Shannon Whaley - director or research and evaluation for Public Health Foundation Enterprises WIC program, a part of Heluna Health in LA - said unless Congress extends that bump by March 11, benefits go back to $9 a month for kids younger than five. .
Children s advocates are sounding the alarm about the expiration of a program they say has been key to keeping low-income children fed during the pandemic. Child nutrition waivers were created by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of March 2020, which gave the U.S. Department of Agriculture the power to approve more than two dozen provisions allowing state and local organizations flexibility to run free meal programs during COVID-19. .
Utah lawmakers consider permanent working group to tackle growing hunger issues stgeorgeutah.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stgeorgeutah.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Statistics showed during the pandemic, the number of Utah families experiencing food insecurity grew, and advocates argued the state needs to take a leading role in finding solutions to the problem. A bill working its way through the Utah Legislature would formalize a working group of stakeholders who meet periodically to exchange ideas and propose policies. The legislation, which would consolidate an ad hoc coalition into a state entity with staff and funding, is pending before the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee. .